Monday, July 8, 2013

Caricom to focus on economic issues to ignite growth

Formal portrait at end of CARICOM summit in POS
Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) concluded their summit in Port of Spain with a commitment to address the future of their respective economies and to deepen the regional framework for growth and development.

They will do this by pursuing a development path focused on inclusiveness of all stakeholders to lift the knowledge base, innovation capability, and entrepreneurial capacity of CARICOM nationals to engage in competitive, higher value-added economic activities.

In accordance with this strategic approach, Heads of Government agreed to the immediate:
  1. design and execution of a resource mobilization strategy to facilitate targeted interventions by Governments to catalyse and ignite growth in CARICOM States
  2. adoption of a stabilization and growth agenda which emphasizes the removal of constraints on competitive production as well as proactive facilitation and support for the private sector aimed at catalyzing growth in critical economic sectors
Heads of Government also agreed that the Bureau of the Conference would be charged with the responsibility of advancing this decision and in this regard, the Secretariat would circulate a comprehensive programme within one month for the consideration of Member States.

The leaders also took the opportunity of this Conference to begin a regional dialogue to highlight and address the issues and challenges being faced by persons with disabilities. They gave full support to the proposal by Haiti to convene a high level meeting on persons with disabilities and special needs.

The leaders also set up a committee to oversee the work of a CARICOM Slavery Reparations Commission made up of the chairs of National Reparation Committees and a representative of a research unit at the University of the West Indies to drive the issue.
The Prime Minister of Barbados would chair the group, which comprises Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissesssar, who is the current CARICOM chair, and the leaders of Guyana, Haiti, St Vincent and the Grenadines and Suriname.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who attended as a special guest,  proposed the reactivation of the Joint CARICOM-Venezuela Commission based on the long-standing trade and investment agreement which could lead to increased trade, investment and economic and other activities. 

In this regard several proposals were put forward touching on security, air and sea transportation, energy, a social and cultural plan, and developing ties between CARICOM and Mercosur.

The Dominican Republic has requested membership of the Community and President 
Danilo Medina indicated his country remains committed to joining the regional integration movement. 

Suriname provided an update from with respect to CARIFESTA, which brings the Caribbean people together to celebrate and showcase the regions famous artistic skills. This will take place from 16-25 August in Suriname.

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Jai & Sero

Jai & Sero

Our family at home in Toronto 2008

Our family at home in Toronto 2008
Amit, Heather, Fuzz, Aj, Jiv, Shiva, Rampa, Sero, Jai