Source: https://thecaribbeannewsnow.com/, News Editor, First Published Jan 24th, 2025 Barbados participated for the first time in the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) Mini-Ministerial during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Kerrie Symmonds, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade participated in today’s WTO MiniMinisterial, held alongside the World Economic Forum’s conference in Davos. It aimed to establish the foundation for the forthcoming year at the WTO in anticipation of the 2026 Ministerial Conference, scheduled to take place in Cameroon. The meeting commenced with a roundtable discussion among ministers and prominent commercial sector representatives from the digital, supply chain, chemical, and technology sectors. BARBADOS ATTENDS WTO MINISTERIAL MEETING IN SWITZERLAND OPENING LINES A primary conclusion of the conversation was the recognition that, although the globe is not deglobalizing, there is notable fragmentation and adjustment within global supply chains. It was acknowledged that trade in services surpasses trading in products, creating opportunities specifically for developing nations. The significance of enhancing communication on the WTO’s activities to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and the general populace was emphasized. Mr. Symmonds represented the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) States grouping since this country heads the ACP group in Geneva through Barbados’ Ambassador to the United Nations, the World Trade Organization, and other international organizations in Geneva, Matthew Wilson. 9 BUSINESS VIEW CARIBBEAN VOLUME 12, ISSUE 01
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTI5MjAx