Important Dates

• Deadline for submission of 500 word abstracts:  March 9, 2012
• Notification of acceptance: March 31, 2012
• Full Paper Submission: May 18, 2012 (EXTENDED: Full Paper Submission: 1st June, 2012)
• OPENING: Registration will open 22nd May, 2012
• Registration Deadline: June 7th (Online Registration Closes: June 8th at 3:30 p.m.)
• PowerPoint presentations: Submit by 9am, Friday, 8th June, 2012 for early upload
• Commencement of conference: June 11-13, 2012

Conference Overview

Conference Theme
Over the past two to three decades Caribbean countries and other small states have become less competitive as exemplified by a decline in export diversification and increased concentration in exports and markets.

Most small states have extremely high levels of trade specialization, in the export of low value-added raw materials, commodities, manufacturing (e.g. clothing and electronics) as well as services exports (e.g. tourism and financial services). These challenges are further exacerbated by the high dependence on the importation of food and energy and increased economic burden of health care.

Emergent trends in the global economy (e.g. peak oil, food price crises, the rise of the BRICS, climate change adaptation) suggest that small states are faced with increased economic, social and environmental risks. The ongoing global economic downturn only adds to the urgency for a review of trade policy formulation and implementation and a critical inquiry into trade diversification, innovation governance and global competitiveness in small states.

This international trans-disciplinary conference will focus on the practice and theory of trade policy for small states in the contemporary global economy drawing on the experience and lessons from the Caribbean region.

In particular, we invite submissions from academics and practitioners on the following themes:

Trade Policy, Negotiations and the Implementation Agenda

• Regional Trade Policy Formulation and Implementation
• The CARIFORUM-EU Economic Partnership Agreement
• The Canada-CARICOM Trade Agreement

Trade Diversification and Regional, Diasporic and Global Markets

• Trade and Innovation Governance
• Trade and Export Facilitation
• Diasporic Trade, Investment and Entrepreneurship

Trade Policy and Innovation Governance in Key Strategic Sectors

• Food Security
• Renewable Energy
• Climate Change

A select number of papers will be published in an edited volume.

Venue

The venue for the conference will be the Accra Beach Hotel, Rockley, Christ Church, Barbados.

Website: http://www.accrabeachhotel.com