The course introduces students to the substantive provisions of trade law relating to market access for trade in goods. In particular, students will acquire a thorough understanding of the role of tariffs in international trade; the rules pertaining to the application of tariffs, other duties and charges and non-tariff barriers to market access and the implications of these rules for Caribbean countries. Students will also acquire skills in interpreting the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System which is widely used to indicate the outcomes of market access negotiations on tariffs and rules of origin. By the end of the course students will be expected to apply the knowledge and skills acquired to analyse actual and hypothetical Caribbean trade policies and instruments including the CARICOM Common External Tariff and Rules of Origin.
Mode of Delivery: Face-to-Face, Online, HyFlex or Blended
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
The MITP programme presents a rewarding experience for anyone with a professional interest in trade policy, law and negotiation. The courses are ideal for public and private-sector professionals; persons interested or engaged in development economics, tourism, agriculture, manufacturing, services, law and the practice of international relations and trade.
Semester II, 2020/2021 (Jan 2021) postgraduate modules will be delivered ‘face-to-face’, ‘online’, ‘blended’ or ‘hyflex’. See Mode of Delivery definitions below:
Face-to-Face
Face-to-face teaching is an instructional method where course content is taught in person, in a physical classroom environment.
Online:
Online teaching is an instructional method where students and instructors connect via technology to review lectures, submit assignments and communicate with one another. No face-to-face learning occurs since lectures, assignments and readings are delivered online.
Blended:
Blended teaching (also known as hybrid or mixed-mode) is an instructional method where a portion of the traditional face-to-face instruction is replaced by web-based online instruction. Therefore, classes are delivered via electronic and online media as well as traditional face-to-face teaching.
HyFlex:
Hybrid-Flexible (also known as HyFlex teaching) integrates in-class instruction, online synchronous video sessions, or asynchronous content delivery. The instructor will deliver the class in a regular classroom, but students may attend in person, participate in the class through video conferencing, or watch a recording of the class session.
Market access pertaining to trade in both goods and services is a key component of most trade agreements. International trade is dependent on access to the domestic markets of other countries in a manner that is both secure and predictable. Consequently, rules on market access form a significant component of WTO law and policy. Students of trade policy should be familiar with the key concepts, principles and skills involved in negotiations of market access components of trade agreements.
The elective on Market Access – Trade in Goods will enable students to acquire comprehensive knowledge of all the key aspects of market access relating to trade in goods and help them develop skills in interpreting the results of market access negotiations for trade in goods. This is particularly important in the Caribbean as countries negotiate or extend trade agreements with external partners.
The capacity to undertake market access negotiations is very limited in several Caribbean countries, particularly with respect to negotiations on tariffs and rules of origin. In the past this has negatively affected the Regions’ ability to conduct trade negotiations on a timely basis. The revised elective on Market Access- Trade in Goods aims to address this short-coming as it will utilize a practical, problems-solving approach to teaching and learning. In that way the course will be relevant to both practicing trade officials and those with no previous experience with the subject.
The following topics/concepts/skills will be addressed:
Rules of Origin in selected trade agreements: CARICOM, EPA; CBI; CARIBCAN; other bilateral trade agreements
One-hour face-to-face lecture will be given in each class followed by two hours of discussions/activities based on questions on the lecture. Given that required readings can only be done subsequent to the lecture, students will be questioned on the reading at the beginning of each class. They will also be challenged in the live classroom by being required to analyse cases and discuss hypothetical cases.
Formative assessments that test students’ knowledge on the concepts covered in the lectures will also be used/provided.
Mr. Vincent Atkins
Vincent Atkins is Trade Policy and Technical Advisor to the CARICOM Less Developed Countries at the Office of Trade Negotiations of the CARICOM, based in Bridgetown, Barbados. Mr Atkins has been involved in the negotiations of international trade agreements since 2001 and has represented the Caribbean Community in several negotiating fora, specialising in the field of agricultural trade negotiations.
Mr Atkins’ current responsibilities include the coordination of CARICOM’s positions on market access issues in goods in the negotiations of the CARICOM-Canada Trade and Development Agreement and the conduct of technical and analytical studies on issues of specific interest to the LDCs as contained in the work programme of the CRNM
Mr Atkins has a Bachelors degree in Economics from the University of the West Indies, an MSc in Agricultural Economics from the University of Florida and a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of London. He also holds a diploma for graduates in International Relations from the University of London.
