Ms. Maryse Robert is director of the Department of Economic Development, Trade and Tourism in the General Secretariat of the Organization of American States (OAS), which promotes economic development in OAS Member States through programs and projects, which are designed to enhance the productivity and competitiveness of economic actors so they can participate better in domestic and international markets. Dr. Robert, a Canadian national, previously served as chief of the Office of Trade at the OAS where she coordinated and managed the OAS Economic Empowerment and Trade Program, which focuses on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and trade capacity building in terms of public policy formulation and the negotiation, implementation and administration of trade agreements. Maryse Robert has taught at several universities (University of Barcelona, Georgetown University, George Mason University, ENAP-Montreal, and HEC-Montreal). She is currently adjunct professor on international trade policy at the University of the West Indies (Cave Hill Campus, Barbados).