Strengthening capacity for evidence-based policymaking and the economic resilience of CARICOM

Project Summary

The project “Strengthening Capacity for Evidence-Based Policymaking and the Economic Resilience of CARICOM” DA16 aims to strengthen the statistical and analytical capacities of Caribbean countries to improve the production, analysis and use of international trade in services statistics, thereby promoting evidence-based policymaking and enhancing regional economic resilience.

The initiative is jointly implemented by UNCTAD and ECLAC, in coordination with CARICOM, OECS, ACS, ECCB and the United Nations system in the Caribbean. The project seeks to support, in particular, Small Island Developing States (SIDS), addressing persistent challenges related to data availability, limited technical capacities and institutional coordination.

The beneficiary countries include Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, among other CARICOM member States participating in regional activities and institutional strengthening processes.

The project builds on UNCTAD’s previous experience in developing and implementing the TiSSTAT system in West African countries, adapting it to the Caribbean context to facilitate the compilation of high-quality, internationally comparable and sustainable trade in services statistics.

Project Description

The project provides comprehensive support for strengthening national capacities in the collection, processing, analysis and use of international trade in services statistics through technological tools, technical assistance, specialized training and regional cooperation.

One of the main components is the implementation and adaptation of the TiSSTAT system, a platform developed by UNCTAD to facilitate survey management, data validation, statistical compilation and dissemination of results. The project also incorporates virtual training activities through the TrainForTrade programme, expanding access to specialized technical training.

In addition, the project includes a strong evidence-based policymaking component, promoting the use of statistics to support economic diversification strategies, trade in services development and economic resilience across CARICOM countries.

The project also mainstreams gender equality, inclusion and the principle of “leaving no one behind”, promoting the production of disaggregated data and strengthening the analysis of the role of women, youth and small enterprises in trade in services.

Cronograma

Project Objectives

Overall Objective

To strengthen the capacities of CARICOM countries to efficiently and sustainably produce and use international trade in services statistics, contributing to evidence-based policymaking and enhanced regional economic resilience.

Specific Objectives

Improve national statistical capacities for the collection, validation, compilation and dissemination of trade in services statistics.
Implement and adapt the TiSSTAT system to the specific needs of beneficiary countries.
Strengthen analytical capacities and data-driven policymaking related to trade in services.
Promote regional and institutional coordination among national statistical offices, central banks and regional organizations.
Integrate gender and inclusion perspectives into the production and analysis of statistics.
Facilitate access to specialized technical training through e-learning platforms.

Expected Results

Increased availability of timely, reliable and internationally comparable trade in services statistics.
Operational implementation of the TiSSTAT system in beneficiary Caribbean countries.
Enhanced national technical capacities in trade in services statistics and analysis.
Improved use of data for economic and trade policymaking.
Increased regional cooperation and exchange of statistical good practices.
Production of more disaggregated information, including variables related to gender, employment and the participation of small enterprises.
Strengthened and sustainable institutional capacities to ensure the continuation of statistical work beyond the duration of the project.

Main Activities

Development and implementation of virtual and face-to-face training programmes on trade in services statistics.
Adaptation, installation and pilot testing of the TiSSTAT system in beneficiary countries.
Organization of regional and national technical training workshops.
Technical assistance missions and specialized advisory services in participating countries.
Development of statistical methodologies, tools and guidelines.
Strengthening of regional and inter-institutional coordination mechanisms.
Capacity-building activities to enhance the analysis and use of statistics for public policymaking.
Integration of modules and analytical work related to gender, inclusion and small enterprises.
Continuous monitoring, evaluation and follow-up of project implementation.
Dissemination of results, exchange of experiences and promotion of regional good practices.