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  • Antigua, Caribbean paint manufacturers seek massive tax increase on paints coming from USA. Who benefits? Who loses?

Antigua, Caribbean paint manufacturers seek massive tax increase on paints coming from USA. Who benefits? Who loses?

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In a formal letter addressed to the Honourable E. P. Chet Greene, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Agriculture, Trade, and Barbuda Affairs, CARICOM Paint Manufacturers have urgently requested a meeting to present the findings of their comprehensive consultancy report titled “Trade in Paints and Paint Related Products: An Investigation into Unfair Pricing Practices and Possible Remedies.”

The study, commissioned by CARICOM Paint Manufacturers and coordinated by the CARICOM Private Sector Organization (CPSO) at the invitation of the CARICOM/Regional Paint Manufacturers, aims to address the substantial under-pricing of paints from the United States (US) that has significantly impacted the regional paint market.

Individual paint producers within the CARICOM region have repeatedly raised concerns about unfair pricing practices over the past several years.

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While some governments have attempted to address the issue, the impact has been limited, necessitating a coordinated response through the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED).

The letter emphasizes the importance of a ‘whole of community’ response via a Common External Tariff (CET) alteration rather than individual country actions.

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The under-pricing threatens the success of the paint industry in the OECS and LDC, eroding price competitiveness and market share within both LDC and MDC markets.

The CARICOM Paint Manufacturers, unified under the CPSO and the Caribbean Manufacturers Association (CMA), seek government support to establish fair and equitable conditions of trade for paints in the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME).

The letter proposes a meeting prior to September 29th, ahead of the upcoming session of the COTED mandated ‘Open-Ended Working Group’ (OEWG) on October 2nd.

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Marguerite Desir, speaking on behalf of CARICOM Paint Manufacturers, anticipates a positive response to their meeting request as they seek redress against the under-pricing that poses a significant threat to innovation, industry expansion, and the overall business continuity of regional paint producers.

This collaborative effort by the regional paint industry aims to bring attention to the urgency of addressing unfair trade practices and fostering a competitive and sustainable environment for paint manufacturers within the CSME.

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REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

(CONSULTING SERVICES – INDIVIDUAL SELECTION)

 

OECS MSME Guarantee Facility Project

Loan No.: IDA-62670, IDA-62660, IDA-62640, IBRD-88830, IDA-62650

Assignment Title: Senior Operating Officer (SOO)

Reference No. KN-ECPCGC-207852-CS-INDV

 

The Governments of Antigua and Barbuda, Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines have received financing in the amount of US$10 million equivalent from the World Bank towards the cost of establishing a partial credit guarantee scheme, and they intend to apply part of the proceeds to payments for goods, and consulting services to be procured under this project. 

The consultant will serve as the “Senior Operating Officer (SOO)” for the ECPCGC and should possess extensive knowledge of MSME lending with some direct experience lending to Micro, small and medium-sized businesses, knowledge of the internal control processes necessary for a lending operation and the ability to design and implement risk mitigation procedures. The ideal candidate should possess an Undergraduate Degree from a reputable college or university, preferably in Business, Accounting, Banking or related field, with a minimum of 5 years’ experience in lending, inclusive of MSME lending. The initial employment period will be for two years on a contractual basis. Renewal of the contract will be subject to a performance evaluation at the end of the contractual period. The assignment is expected to begin on September 30th, 2021.  The consultant will report directly to the Chief Executive Officer of the ECPCGC.

The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment can be viewed by following the attached link below. 

 

https://bit.ly/3iVannm

 

The Eastern Caribbean Partial Credit Guarantee Corporation (ECPCGC) now invites eligible “Consultants” to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have:

  • An Undergraduate Degree from a reputable college or university, preferably in Business, Finance, Banking or related field; and
  • Minimum of 5 years’ experience in MSME lending. Applicants should also have:
  • The ability to design and implement risk management procedures 
  • Extensive knowledge of MSME lending with some direct experience lending to small and medium-sized businesses
  • Extensive knowledge of MSME banking operations
  • Knowledge of the internal controls necessary for a lending operation and the ability to design and implement risk management procedures
  • Experience developing and presenting information in public, including responding to questions in real-time
  • Experience lending to MSMEs located in the ECCU
  • Knowledge of marketing and communicating with the MSME sector
  • Ability to draft procedures to be used in a lending operation
  • Familiarity with the mechanics of a loan guarantee program
  • Exceptional written, oral, interpersonal, and presentation skills, and
  • Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office suite.

The attention of interested Individual Consultants is drawn to Section III, Paragraphs 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers July 2016, [revised November 2017] (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest. A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Approved Selection Method for Individual Consultants set out in the clause 7.34 of the World Bank Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers. 

 

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours 0800 to 1700 hours:

Eastern Caribbean Partial Credit Guarantee Corporation

Brid Rock, Basseterre,

St. Kitts.

Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form by e-mail by August 11th, 2021, to [email protected]

 

For further information, please contact:

Carmen Gomez-Trigg                                                            Bernard Thomas

Chief Executive Officer                                                          Chief Financial Officer

Tel: 868-620-8144                                                                  Tel: 869-765-2385

Email: [email protected]                                          [email protected]