COOPERATION STRATEGIES. ARTICLE 18 The cooperation strategies shall be based on development strategies and economic and trade cooperation which are interlinked and complementary. The Parties shall ensure that the efforts undertaken in both aforementioned areas are mutually reinforcing. TITLE I DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES CHAPTER 1 GENERAL FRAMEWORK
COOPERATION STRATEGIES. Article 18
COOPERATION STRATEGIES. Along with Development Finance Cooperation, this is the most comprehensive element of the Cotonou Agreement. The aims of the strategies are far-reaching: • To achieve rapid and sustained job-creating economic growth, increase employment and improve access to productive economic activities and resources • To develop the private sector and to xxxxxx regional cooperation and integration • To promote human and social development to ensure that the benefits of growth are widely and equitably shared • To promote cultural values of communities and specific interactions with economic, political and social elements • To promote institutional reforms and development; strengthen the institutions necessary for the consolidation of democracy, good governance and efficient and competitive market economies; and build capacity for development and partnership • To promote environmental sustainability, regeneration, best practices and the preser- vation of the natural resource base Private Sector Development The strategies can be grouped into four main categories: private sector development; economic sector development; public sector reform; and regional integration. (The sectoral policies and strategies governing development cooperation objectives will be contained in a compendium providing operational guidelines in specific areas or sectors.) Private sector development is a key concern of the agreement. As outlined above, several areas of support for the private sector have been proposed. These include the following: public-private sector dialogue and cooperation; entrepreneurial skills development; privatisation and enterprise reform; the development of a business culture; and the development and modernisation of mediation and arbitration systems. Ambassadors and the Joint Parliamentary the Council of Ministers, the Committee of 5 CARICOM!! CSME Five of the key areas of concern are: • Macroeconomic growth and stabilisation • Support for the role of local actors (especially the private sector) • Development of an environment favourable to business, investment and employment • Equitable access to economic activities and productive resources • Human and social development As part of its focus on social and human development, the agreement is concerned with developing cultural industries and enhancing market access opportunities for cultural goods and services. Under product development in the tourism industry, the development of indigenous cultures in the ACP countries is m...
