Programme Overview
The CARIFORUM Directorate, based at the CARICOM Secretariat in Georgetown, Guyana, serves as the institutional hub for advancing CARIFORUM’s external trade and development agenda. As the Secretariat of CARIFORUM, the Directorate supports Member States in coordinating regional positions, strengthening engagement with international partners, and promoting the effective implementation of key cooperation frameworks and agreements.
A central part of the Directorate’s work is the coordination of the CARIFORUM–European Union Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) and related trade and cooperation programmes. In this role, it helps CARIFORUM States translate regional commitments into practical action by providing technical support, preparing documentation, facilitating consultations, and assisting with implementation at both regional and national levels. The Directorate also supports engagement on wider Caribbean cooperation, development partnership frameworks, and other strategic issues that affect the region’s economic resilience and integration.
Through its programme coordination, policy support, and capacity-building initiatives, the CARIFORUM Directorate contributes to strengthening trade competitiveness, deepening regional integration, and expanding opportunities for CARIFORUM States within the global economy. Its work reflects a broader commitment to ensuring that Caribbean countries are better equipped to benefit from international agreements, respond to emerging challenges, and pursue sustainable development in a rapidly evolving global environment
Strategic Objectives
To ensure that CARIFORUM States are able to meaningfully utilise and comply with the EPA, transforming legal market access into tangible trade, investment, and development gains. Improved capacity of public institutions to implement EPA commitments (trade in goods, services, investment, competition, IPRs). Enhanced private-sector awareness and utilisation of EPA opportunities, particularly by MSMEs. Greater regulatory alignment and predictability, reducing transaction costs for exporters and investors. Increased CARIFORUM exports and services trade to the EU, particularly in niche and value-added sectors.
Strategic Outcome
Effective implementation of the EPA and other cooperation agreements that support regional development goals.
