Strengthening capacity for evidence-based policymaking and the economic resilience of CARICOM
The services sector, including trade in services, is an increasingly important driver of economic diversification, employment and resilience for small island developing States. To fully leverage this potential, policymakers and stakeholders require robust data, strong analytical skills and effective cross-sectoral coordination.
This workshop is organized under the UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) project Strengthening capacity for evidence-based policymaking and economic resilience in CARICOM. The project supports CARICOM member States in strengthening their capacity and data infrastructure to produce and use high-quality, disaggregated and bilateral trade in services statistics for policymaking.
The project has two main outcomes: (i) enhanced statistical capacity to produce harmonized trade in services statistics, and (ii) improved analytical capacity and use of services trade data to support economic resilience and diversification. The workshop contributes directly to the second outcome (the services trade policy component), implemented by UNCTAD’s Division on International Trade and Commodities.
The workshop combines targeted policy advisory, hands-on training and high-level stakeholder dialogue, with a strong emphasis on practical application and peer exchange. on the linkages between ICT and business services and creative services, reflecting Saint Kitts and Nevis’ diversification priorities and opportunities in digital and knowledge-intensive services.
Main objectives
The workshop aims to strengthen participants’ capacity to use services trade data and evidence to support economic resilience, diversification and development strategies in Saint Kitts and Nevis. In particular, it seeks to:
- support the integration of services trade data into policy analysis and decision-making;
- foster cross-sectoral dialogue among policymakers, statisticians, private sector actors, creatives, ICT professionals and academia; and
- translate data and analysis into concrete policy priorities and actionable solutions for services-led development.
Participants
Participants will include representatives from the Ministry of International Trade, Industry, Commerce, and Consumer Affairs and other government agencies; the Central Statistical Office; private-sector and industry associations in creative, ICT, and business services; and relevant civil society and academic institutions.
