GOVERNMENT OF ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA Ministry of Finance, Economy and Public Administration EPA IMPLEMENTATION UNIT

Remarks at the Eastern Caribbean Group of Companies (ECGC)/ Inter-Island Sales Baking Competition

Ladies and Gentlemen I have the honor to say a few words on behalf of Ambassador Dr. Clarence Henry, Trade Coordinator who is unable to be here today.

First, I wish to congratulate the organizers, Eastern Caribbean Group of Companies (ECGC) and Inter-Island Sales for undertaking such a unique and inspiring event, which brings together many of our bakers and chefs to compete against each other.

Indeed, competitions like these can only add value to the baking industry through the enhancement of standards and quality of products. Accordingly, I wish to urge the bakers to adopt the widely acceptable regional and or international standards
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for the baked products you produce. The adoption of such standards will enable you to compete within the national and regional markets for which you all have access to. I therefore encourage you to research and adopt the acceptable standards for your industry thereby improving your production capabilities.

Likewise, the baking industry must become conversant of the different bilateral trade agreements such as the CSME, the OECS Economic Union and the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), which can be used as tools to expand your business opportunities beyond Antigua and Barbuda. However, if you are to access those markets appropriate research relating to product development and design are one of the initial steps that must be taken.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN: If we are to move the baking industry to the next level, you must not only improve your product line through the implementation of standards, but also seek to diversify your current products through strategic alliances with other stakeholders in other relevant sectors such as agriculture, and even tourism. It is therefore important that the necessary market research is undertaken in order to

determine the new types of products that can be introduced into the national market.

Another step that can be introduced to support the development of the baking industry is some type of certificate programme for existing and prospective bakers. The Antigua and Barbuda Hospitality Training Institute (ABHTI), in my view, is the ideal national institution that can design and execute such a programme after consultations with the industry players to determine their specific training needs. Recall that the ABHTI is presently positioning itself to become the premier hospitality training facility within the OECS, and therefore the baking industry can benefit from the Network of Excellence expanded training programs.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN: I am sure that you are aware of the tremendous amount of support the government has given in the past to support the industry to keep the price of baked products stable. The Government remains committed to ensuring that consumers particularly lower income families have bread and other baked products at affordable prices.
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Accordingly, I wish to single out the contribution of Inter-Island Sales particularly Mr. Leroy Warren and his daughters Marietta and Desriee for their demonstrated support to Antigua and Barbuda. On many occasions, Inter-Island Sales has absorbed price increases having recognized the negative impact such price hikes would have on local consumers.

We say thanks to Inter-Island Sales for partnering with ECGC for stepping up to the plate in sponsoring this excellent baking competition. We look forward to witnessing other market oriented initiatives that enhances the standard and quality of the baking industry and vividly demonstrates a commitment to the marketplace.

I wish all the competitors the very best and much success. The Baking industry is the real winner today and I once again encourage a partnership between bakers, retailers and the ABHIT.

I thank you.