The team implementing the OHADAC project has confirmed its participation to the workshop entitled “Doing Business in Guadeloupe“ on the past November 13th organised in Guadeloupe by the Chamber of Commerce & Industry of the Guadeloupe Islands (CCIIG) in cooperation with the Guadeloupe Region and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). This workshop served to introduce the future OHADAC Regional Arbitration Centre (CARO).

This event was carried out during three days devoted to the commercial prospecting economic mission of the OECS from November 12 to 14 at the CWTC, Jarry in Guadeloupe. The objective of the meeting was to present the business world in Guadeloupe and thus measure commercial opportunities within the Caribbean region.

This prospecting mission gathered public figures, experts as well as Caribbean business leaders. Its objective was to present the financial, banking, sanitary, custom, regulatory, economic and legal tools available in Guadeloupe for commercial actors and stakeholders operating in the OHADAC zone in the field of business and corporate law.

The second day was dedicated to the presentation of various aspects to be considered in order to develop activities in Guadeloupe, including the legal state of affairs.

In this context, the presentation of the OHADAC team focused on the future role of the CARO Centre, that will offer mediation and arbitration services and its purpose which is to integrate itself within the Caribbean economic area known as the OHADAC zone.

The objective is to foster commercial exchanges between Caribbean actors and stakeholders using mediation and arbitration tools while ensuring the necessary and required legal certainty in the field of business law.

Ms Laure ANSELME-HILAIRE, Consultant, highlighted the macro-economic aspects during her presentation using a global overview of the Guadeloupe regional forces and weaknesses and explained in particular the reasons why the region is considered to be attractive in the field of business law.

Mr Joubert ESNARD from the Guadeloupe Customs Regional Authority and Indirect Duties of Guadeloupe, made a detailed presentation on the current customs rules and regulations (the European agreements applicable in the customs field, custom duties and forms to be completed by Caribbean import firms).

Ms Ketty LOMBION, Head of the Border Control Unit in Guadeloupe, DAFF (Service de l'alimentation Direction de l'Alimentation de l'Agriculture et de la Forêt) presented a lecture on veterinary, sanitary and phytosanitary control measures on imports and in particular on control procedures implemented on unprocessed/raw and prohibited products imported into Guadeloupe.

Mr Eric EBERSTEIN, Chef du Pôle Concurrence Consommation Répression des Fraudes et Métrologie - DIECCTE made a presentation on the regulatory aspect of launching products on the market (rules and regulations in the field of cosmetic products, foodstuffs, etc.)

Ms Elisabeth AMADIAH-MOUNIGAN from the Bank, Caisse d'Epargne presented the various international payment means available for Guadeloupe actors and stakeholders and presented a new payment tool proposed by this financial establishment.

Mr Louis COLLOMB, President of the Guadeloupe Union of Freightforwarders and Customs Brokers was in charge of presenting the transport aspect and various access points of the Guadeloupe region. (air, inland, maritime)

Mr Vincent BEAUVARLET, CEO of St Barth Executive made a contribution presenting a model of an airline specialised in “luxurious transportation“ also providing humanitarian transport between the Caribbean islands.

Mr Gilles BAJAZET, Director of the INTERREG Caraïbes Joint Secretariat, presented the theme on “INTERREG Caraïbes“ funding and the various opportunities in the private sector.

Last but not least, Ms Sabine BAJAZET, President of the Guadeloupe Committee of Foreign Trade Advisors (CFTA) and Public Relations Advisor for S.A. CEI.BA, presented the network of Foreign Trade Advisors of France and the CEI.BA: Port Community System in Guadeloupe.

The great variety of contributions allowed the introduction of the future Arbitration Centre presentation clearly offering a perspective of important challenges at stake for Guadeloupe and the neighbouring countries.

A keen interest and real enthousiasm were felt by the OECS English speaking delegation in the need to use tools based on mediation support and arbitral proceedings as well as the opportunities offered by the new Centre for corporate agreements to be concluded between businesses of the OHADAC zone while reiterating its purpose to be the centre where disputes between Caribbean firms are settled.

The issue of intellectual property rights and effective Caribbean brand protection on the Guadeloupe territory was tackled and has drawn much attention.

The interest of a Centre that will provide support and ensure control over the main stages of the arbitral proceedings as well as auditing arbitrators in accordance to the Rule of Ethics has been duly recognized by the OECS still looking forward to the opening of the Centre.

For further information, you may contact Marie-Camille Pitton at the following email address: marie_camille_pitton@yahoo.fr

• DAFF = Department of Food, Department of Agriculture and Forestry
• DIECCTE = DGCCRF Directorate-General for Competition Policy, Consumer affairs and Fraud Control