Global trade is in flux, and Caribbean companies are facing huge risks. The big question is: How will they plan for future disruptions, and adapt to more agile systems?
To answer this, The University of the West Indies (The UWI) Five Islands Campus, in Antigua and Barbuda, will be hosting “Supply Chain Management and Logistics in a Post-COVID-19 Caribbean” on Monday, February 22, 2021, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. (Eastern Caribbean time). This event is the latest in the Campus’ monthly Public Advocacy Series, which supports its mission to assist the OECS region in becoming more globally competitive. It’s a free event and interested persons can register at www.fiveislands.uwi.edu/publicadvocacyseries.
Featuring Ambassador G. Anthony Hylton, who will discuss strategies for restructuring supply chain systems, this instalment of the series promises stimulating discussions around leveraging new technologies, mapping suppliers, and regionalizing manufacturing and transport to reduce the region’s overreliance on distant trade partners.
Professor Densil A. Williams, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal of The UWI Five Islands Campus commented on the relevance of the discussion saying, “A logistics centered economy is the major growth pole that will drive the transformation of small developing economies in the Caribbean post the pandemic.”
Already, COVID-19 has shown that a single source of supply creates vulnerability in a company’s supply chain. Decreased demand, as well as the shutdown of factories in China and across Asia, into Europe and the United States, has hurt the entire global supply chain of goods and raw materials for manufacturing inputs.
Companies must, therefore, reassess their supply-chain designs to withstand unforeseen disruptions, and adapt to the restructuring of global trade in a post-pandemic world. They must also establish an agile, resilient and flexible global supply chain strategy, and leverage new opportunities to avoid becoming permanent victims of disruption.
“Businesses must become more proactive,” says Dr Curtis Charles, Campus Director of Academic Affairs. “This is why, in addition to education and research, The UWI has focused on the third pillar of innovation to help drive regional growth. Ambassador Hylton is highly knowledgeable, due to his background in trade and foreign affairs. The business community, as well as students of commerce, will benefit from joining this discussion.”
The Five Islands Campus looks forward to the OECS and wider Caribbean business community joining this critical conversation aimed at strengthening regional resilience. Interested persons are encouraged to register early online.
An accomplished attorney-at-law and public servant, Ambassador Hylton is a Partner at the Jamaica-based firm, Samuda & Johnson, where he oversees the firm’s Commercial and International Trade Department. He also practised in the United States, specializing in aviation and shipping, before returning to Jamaica.
His public service career in foreign affairs and trade has given him specialist skills in international trade. He also has a deep understanding of regional, hemispheric and international trade treaties and trade relations.
His past portfolios include Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Minister of Mining and Energy, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, and Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce.
As Minister of Industry, Investment & Commerce, he directed, influenced and brought to fruition Jamaica’s Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) and Entrepreneurship Policy. Ambassador Hylton also has extensive corporate experience, having served on the board of major companies. He is the current Member of Parliament for Western St Andrew, Jamaica.
Ambassador Hylton has also received the 2017 US Presidential Award for Humanitarian Service to Jamaica and the International Community from President Barack Obama. (PR)
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