Andrea Ewart, Esq. conducted a series of engaging workshops in Jamaica highlighting the benefits available to Jamaican producers under the Caribbean Basin Initiative. The Jamaica Exporters’ Association with sponsorship from the US Embassy hosted the CBI workshops, which took place from June 4th to June 5th 2014 in Kingston and Montego Bay, Jamaica.

As a result of the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act (CBERA), the CBI was created in 1983. It was expanded to include a wider class of goods for preferential treatment in 2000 through the US-Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act (CBTPA).  The CBI provides Jamaican exporters with preferential trade and duty free access for their products to the US market.

Andrea’s workshops identified some of the ways in which Jamaican producers can utilize the benefits of der the CBI to export profitably to the US.  Currently, only forty percent of eligible exporters in Jamaica are taking advantage of CBI’s benefits.

Andrea Ewart presented a comprehensive analysis of the progression of CBI and the current issues facing the Caribbean-US trade relationship. Her workshops not only informed businesses of the numerous of benefits under CBI but encouraged Caribbean countries to initiate discussions with relevant US agencies to support increased exports from the region under CBI.

The Jamaica Exporters’ Association workshops received immense media coverage. These press articles, linked below, highlight both Andrea Ewart’s workshops and further explain the uses of CBI to Jamaican exporters.

PRESS ARTICLES: