TEPA Newsletter – April-May 2015
[column size=”one-third”]
EXPO Milano
Expo Milano 2015 is a non-commercial Universal Exposition with some very unique and innovative features from May to October. Approximately 24 million visitors are expected to attend the Expo and 1 billion through Cyber Expo. More than 144 countries and 3 international organizations have confirmed their participation… Read More…[/column]
[column size=”one-third”]
Saint Lucia Hosts OECS-CBU e-Payment Forum
On May 28-29, 2015, the OECS-CBU in collaboration with TEPA hosted the OECS ePayment Forum. The main objective of the forum was to bring together a wide cross section of stakeholders including government regulators, bankers and electronic payment processors, chambers of… Read More… [/column]
[column size=”one-third” last=”true”]
SIAL Canada
SIAL, the largest Agri-Food business exposition in North America attracting over 14,000 professional visitors and 800 exhibitors from over 45 countries, including Canada was held on the 28 – 30 April 2015. Two of Saint Lucia’s leading exporters, showcased products at this year’s trade show in Toronto, Canada. Read More… [/column]
[column size=”one-third”]
Saint Lucia Export Handbook
The Export Handbook “A practical step by step guide to exporting” gives a detailed account of the processes involved in moving an export-ready product from Saint Lucia to its final export destination. It has been designed to simplify the export process, so that any user can understand. The Export handbook eliminates the research exporters would have to do to simplify and facilitate… Read More… [/column]
[column size=”one-third”]
TEPA assists Customs with Standard Operating Procedures
TEPA has embarking on a project spearheaded by the Saint Lucia Bureau of Standards to provide the Customs & Excise Department with a concise “Standard Operating Procedures” (SOP) manual, highlighting explicit instructions for the successful accomplishment of its specific goals in the Customs Strategic Business Plan…Read More… [/column]
[column size=”one-third” last=”true”]
TEPA on the Verge on Launching Gift Catalogues
TEPA has recently started work on a Saint Lucia Export Catalogue series. The series will feature an online, wedding and general catalogue of quality products and services and will artistically embrace the full scope of our priority sectors. This collection will represent the fine products and services available in Saint Lucia and assist in offering …Read More… [/column]
Regional/International News
[column size=”one-half”]
Making the Natural Choice
At a time when ‘natural is good’, nutraceutical products are assuming a middle ground between food and drugs due to the growing body of opinion that supports their role in maintaining health and contributing to the treatment of diseases. At the end of 2013, the global nutraceuticals product market reached US$186 billion and is expected to reach US$204 billion by 2017. In the Caribbean, there has been a call for the increased use of natural ingredients and remedies to support a healthy lifestyle, and Natmed Limited is responding to this request. Read More…
[/column]
[column size=”one-half” last=”true”]
BARON Foods Wins International Superior Taste Award 2015
The Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) congratulates Baron Foods for winning the prestigious International Superior Taste Award 2015 for its innovative Banana Ketchup from the International Taste & Quality Institute (iTQi). The Superior Taste award ceremony which was recently held in Brussels, Belgium on June 04, 2015, brings together global food and beverages manufacturers to review their modern and ingenious developments in the food and beverage industry. Read More…
[/column]
[column size=”one-half”]
ASK Anthony
What are Sanitary and Phytosanitary measures? Does the SPS Agreement cover countries’ measures to protect the environment? Consumer interests? Animal welfare?
For the purposes of the SPS Agreement, Sanitary and Phytosanitary measures are defined as any measures applied:
- to protect human or animal life from risks arising from additives, contaminants, toxins or disease-causing organisms in their food;
- to protect human life from plant- or animal-carried diseases;
- to protect animal or plant life from pests, diseases, or disease-causing organisms;
- to prevent or limit other damage to a country from the entry, establishment or spread of pests
These include sanitary and phytosanitary measures taken to protect the health of fish and wild fauna, as well as of forests and wild flora.
Measures for environmental protection (other than as defined above), to protect consumer interests, or for the welfare of animals are not covered by the SPS Agreement. These concerns, however, are addressed by other WTO agreements (i.e. the TBT Agreement or Article XX of GATT 1994).
[/column]
[column size=”one-half” last=”true”]
Did You Know?
- The phrase “Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT)” refers to the use of the domestic regulatory process as a means of protecting domestic producers.
The Technical Barrier to Trade (TBT) Agreement seeks to assure that Mandatory product regulation; Voluntary product standards; and Conformity assessment procedures do not become unnecessary obstacles to international trade and are not employed to obstruct trade.
- The Food (Export) Health Certificate is issued to traders, to certify a food consignment as fit for human consumption, and meeting safety standards or other required criteria to facilitate the export of this food consignment. This certificate is only issued for food consignments manufactured or processed or packed in a food processing establishment.
[/column]
Follow us on Social Media!
