Ambassador Dr. Richard Bernal is a professional economist with over 35 years of experience. Most recently he was Executive Director for the Caribbean (the Bahamas, Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago) on the Board of directors of the Inter-American Development Bank in Washington, DC. He holds the degrees of B.Sc., MA, Ph.D. (Economics), and MIPP (International Public Policy).

"Essential for understanding how trade agreements between developed and developing countries can promote economic development in a rapidly globalising world." - Pascal Lamy, Director General, World Trade Organization

"This is a book deserving of careful attention, both by professionals and the general public." - Sir Alister McIntyre, former Vice Chancellor, University of the West Indies

"At this time when free trade agreements are proliferating, this detailed exposition by the Chief Negotiator for Caribbean countries on the negotiations for an Economic Partnership Agreement with Europe is a most valuable addition to the as-yet scant literature on regional trade agreements. Excellent in lucidity and analysis, this study offers many leads and lessons - how trade agreements could incorporate sustainable development objectives; how small developing countries could innovatively develop a mechanism for effective and balanced negotiations; how to positively reconcile controversial issues of imbalance and development needs with pressing WTO free trade policy thrusts; and the importance of appropriate institutional arrangement for managing and reviewing the Agreement." - Bishnodat Persaud, Former Director, Economic Affairs, Commonwealth Secretariat; Professor, University of the West Indies

"This book shows exactly how a group of developing countries, acting collectively and with purpose, can effectively carve out a binding agreement with developed country partners (on a broad range of economic issues) that serves as an effective platform to enhance their capacity for growth and development in a highly competitive global economy. Dr. Bernal, as lead negotiator for CARIFORUM in creating the EPA, draws out the lessons of this experience with clarity and insight." - Donald J. Harris, Professor Emeritus of Economics, Stanford University, USA

"In this insightful book, Ambassador Bernal presents a penetrating analysis of the conception,