Jamaica has been involved in the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) negotiations since 1998. The Hemispheric Cooperation Programme (HCP) was established during the 7th Quito FTAA Ministerial Meeting in Ecuador, November 2002. It represents an attempt to ensure the meaningful participation of smaller and less developed economies in, and to increase their ability to capitalize on the opportunities for trade liberalization and regional integration. The main objective of the HCP is to facilitate preparation for and participation in the negotiating process and implementation of the FTAA Agreement by smaller economies in particular.

The initial Meeting with Donors for the implementation of the FTAA Hemispheric Cooperation Programme was held 14-15 October 2003, in Washington D.C. At this meeting, countries with the support of the Tripartite Committee (OAS, IDB and ECLAC) presented their national Trade Capacity Building Strategies. Jamaica’s strategy document was prepared in consultation with both public and private sector stakeholders, including Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), Ministry of Finance and Planning (MF&P), Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) and the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ). The National Strategy Document described the existing trade-related institutional framework, and identified specific needs for participation in the FTAA negotiations, implementation of the FTAA Agreement and adaptation to trade liberalization and regional integration.

The HCP was approved as a priority aspect of the FTAA. It is geared towards meeting the needs of countries, especially smaller economies, to strengthen their competitive capacity. Support is to be given for:

1. preparing for negotiations;
2. implementing the agreement; and
3. adjusting to the integration process.