The UWI Institute of International Relations Hosts Successful WTO Regional Trade Policy Course
The UWI Institute of International Relations Hosts Successful WTO Regional Trade Policy Course
The University of the West Indies (UWI) Institute of International Relations (IIR), in collaboration with the World Trade Organisation (WTO), successfully executed a Regional Trade Policy Course (RTPC) for Caribbean Members and Observers from March 17 to May 9, 2025. This eight-week programme, held at the St. Augustine Campus in Trinidad and Tobago, marked the third RTPC hosted in the country, following previous sessions in 2019 and 2023.
Strengthening Regional Trade Policy Capacity
The RTPC brought together 21 government officials from 13 WTO Caribbean Members and Observers for an in-depth exploration of the multilateral trading system. The programme focused on WTO Agreements, institutional procedures, and trade policy challenges specific to the Caribbean region. Delivered by experts from the WTO Secretariat, UWI faculty, and representatives from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the course emphasised practical applications of trade rules through dynamic learning methods such as presentations, case studies, and a final examination.
Key Highlights
Professional Visit to Leading Export Companies
On April 11, 2025, participants visited two prominent export companies in Trinidad and Tobago, Blue Waters Products Limited and S.M. Jaleel & Company Limited. They were welcomed with factory tours and interactive sessions that provided firsthand insights into how trade policies intersect with manufacturing practices. This immersive experience complemented the theoretical components of the RTPC, showcasing innovation and progressiveness in the local export sector.
Closing Ceremony and Reflections
The closing ceremony featured a video message from Bridget Chilala, Director of the WTO’s Institute for Training and Technical Cooperation (ITTC), who congratulated participants on completing an intensive programme. She emphasised the WTO’s dedication to capacity building, noting that such initiatives enhance understanding of WTO disciplines and enable members to fully benefit from the system.
Dr. Acolla Lewis-Cameron, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at UWI, highlighted the course’s significance in equipping participants to actively shape trade policies that drive economic progress. She praised the WTO-UWI partnership as a model for collaboration between international institutions and Caribbean academia.
Mr. Sekou Alleyne, CEO of Global Trinidad and Tobago, acknowledged the programme’s contribution to strengthening regional cooperation and sustainable development. He reminded participants that their achievements represent a collective step toward economic resilience and diversification.
Additional remarks were delivered by Professor Derek Chadee, Deputy Principal of UWI, St. Augustine, and Dr. Dave Seerattan, Acting Director of the IIR, who reaffirmed the Institute's commitment to building regional trade capacity.
Impact and Future Collaboration
The 2025 WTO RTPC not only deepened participants’ knowledge of trade policy but also fostered stronger professional networks and enhanced regional capacity in navigating global trade frameworks. The UWI Institute of International Relations remains dedicated to supporting initiatives that integrate the Caribbean into the multilateral trading system and looks forward to continued collaboration with the WTO and regional partners.
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