Remarks Ms.

Barbara Williams National EPA Implementation Coordinator

Opening Ceremony of Buy Local Street Fair

St. Marys Street, St. Johns, Antigua Thursday May 5th, 2011

Salutations: Hon. Elston Adams Minister of Culture Hon. Harold Lovell Minister of Finance, the Economy and Public Administration Other Ministers of Government Director of Culture Mr. Gilbert Laudat Exhibitors Invited Guests Members of the media Ladies and Gentlemen Good Morning

Let me first convey the apologies to the organizers on behalf of Ambassador Henry who unfortunately is unable to be here due to other work-related duties. On his behalf I wish you a successful staging of this Buy Local Street Fair which will show case the vibrancy of the locally produced arts and crafts. I hope that the success of todays event will not only demonstrate the importance of this sector, but will underscore its potential as a significant revenue earner.

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen As you are aware, Antigua and Barbuda in 2008 signed the CARIFORUM-EU Economic Partnership Agreement. This is a reciprocal trade and development agreement that seeks to increase the flow of trade between the CARIFORUM countries and the European Union. Recognizing the importance of protecting and promoting cultural diversity and the socio-economic value of the cultural industries and activities to the region, a Protocol on Cultural Cooperation was negotiated as part of this agreement. Additionally, the Protocol seeks to foster cultural exchanges and dialogue among the parties through the development of their cultural policies, their cultural industries and enhancing exchange opportunities for the export of cultural goods and services.

Importantly, the technical assistance component of this Protocol seeks to assist CARIFORUM countries with facilitating support, through

different measures, such as training, exchange of information, expertise and experiences, elaboration of policies and legislation as well as the use and transfer of technologies or know-how. Also the technical assistance identified in this Protocol may also facilitate the cooperation between private companies, non-governmental organisations as well as public-private partnerships.

Therefore, to translate this specific area of the agreement into the local context it is important that the producers of the cultural goods and services must organize themselves into functioning groups and organizations and identify and document the needs of your sector around an implementable project that will advance your development. By this I mean your design, marketability, packaging and the greater infusion of technology in your production process. Let us not forget that the cultural goods and services we produce are also tradable in the OECS and CARICOM markets

Ladies and Gentlemen As part of this trade environment I encourage you to protect your intellectual property; your designs, name, logo and or trade mark. The protection and registration of your intellectual property is an important element of the development and design of your product, especially when it is being traded either nationally, regionally and internationally.

Ladies and Gentlemen Let me assure you that the EPA Implementation Unit within the Office of the NAO will assist you to identify and develop project proposals for funding that fit into the context of the EPA Agreement. The success of this depends on your input and direction. I must however underscore that conceptualizing of projects using this agreement must impactful and respond to the collective needs of the sector or subsector.

I wish you a successful showing, and let us all Buy Local every time all the time.

Thank you