Antigua and Barbuda to Host OECS Services Sector Training Initiative

Antigua and Barbuda to Host OECS Services Sector Training Initiative

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Immigration is pleased to announce that Antigua and Barbuda will host a Specialised Services Sector Training Programme in collaboration with the OECS from June 29 to July 2, 2026, at the Customs and Excise Division Conference Room, Deep Water Harbour, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily.

This initiative forms part of a regional consultancy titled “Technical Support to OECS Independent Protocol Member for Specialized Training to Strengthen and Enhance Knowledge Capacity, Policymaking and Negotiating Skills of Public and Private Sector Stakeholders in the Services Sector.”

The programme is being implemented under the framework of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), which comprises Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. The initiative supports the objectives of the Revised Treaty of Basseterre, which established the Eastern Caribbean Economic Union (ECEU) and promotes deeper economic integration, policy harmonisation, and the development of a single economic space.

The programme comes at a critical time as OECS Member States seek to strengthen their resilience and competitiveness in global services markets, particularly in the face of ongoing economic challenges and the long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The programme is designed to strengthen the technical competencies of:

• Trade officials and public sector policymakers
• Business Support Organisations (BSOs)
• Private sector stakeholders in the services industry

Participants will benefit from a series of activities, including:

• Development of a Specialized Services Sector Training Plan tailored to national needs
• National Training Workshop to build practical policy and negotiation skills
• A Stakeholder Sensitisation and Awareness Seminar focused on key issues such as:
o Trends in services and non-traditional sectors
o Trade in Services (TIS) obligations
o Addressing barriers to services trade
o Market intelligence tools for services development

The training will be delivered in a hybrid format to ensure broad participation from public and private sector stakeholders.

This initiative enables Member States to better leverage trade agreements, modernise regulatory frameworks, and enhance competitiveness in global services markets.

By strengthening institutional capacity and improving policy coherence, the programme aims to support sustainable economic growth, resilience, and increased participation in regional and international trade.

Stakeholders in Antigua and Barbuda interested in participating are encouraged to contact the Ministry of Trade at 562-1532/562-8114 or [email protected] for further information and registration details.

Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Antigua!
We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages.
Contact us at [email protected]