Barbados

CHRIST CHURCH, BARBADOS – The Fifth World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial Conference came to an end in Cancún, Mexico, September 14. However, the ‘endgame’ was not the result WTO members had hoped for. The Cancún summit closed with no consensus on key items on its agenda. Members failed to bridge their differences. Divisions amongst members proved too deep. “There were fundamental differences over key issues”. The Director-General of the Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery (RNM), Ambassador Dr. Richard Bernal, made these remarks, September 14, at the close of the Cancún summit.

CHRIST CHURCH, BARBADOS – “The Caribbean is well prepared heading into Cancún”. The Director-General of the Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery (RNM), Ambassador Dr. Richard Bernal, made these remarks at the close of the Second Special Meeting of the CARICOM Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) on External Economic Negotiations, September 4. The Special COTED was convened in Georgetown, Guyana, September 3 to 4. It was chaired by Hon. Billie Miller, Senior Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Barbados.

Apart from the selection and fortunes of the West Indies Cricket team, there is no other issue that evokes, in this region, a richer, more sustained, more fierce, and more misplaced commentary than the purposes and workings of the Caribbean Single Market and Economy.

In both instances, the debate seems to be inspired by the desire of the people of the Caribbean for the region and its institutions to succeed, and the unwillingness therefore to accept any departure from full effort and best practice.

My presence here today as Prime Minister is the consequence of an electoral choice that is without precedent in the post-independence history of my country.

It focuses my mind on the fact that we live in unprecedented times – in a world caught up with difficult and dangerous new tensions, and confronted with blistering and bewildering change that makes it often very difficult for our people to see the future.

CHRIST CHURCH, BARBADOS – CARIFORUM Ministers, with responsibility for trade, met in Barbados on May 3. The Ministerial followed a Caribbean Trade Experts Meeting and Senior Officials Meeting held between April 28 to 30 and May 1, respectively. The results of these three meetings will refine and deepen thinking in CARIFORUM on what is an appropriate Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) for the Region and will contribute to preparations for Africa Caribbean Pacific (ACP) Council of Ministers Meetings in Brussels scheduled for May 14 to 16.

CHRIST CHURCH, BARBADOS – As part of accelerated preparations for the negotiation of a regional Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union, the Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery (RNM) - with the assistance of the Commonwealth Secretariat - will be convening a series of meetings in Barbados during the period April 28 to May 3, 2003. The meetings are as follows_ * April 28 to May 1 - Caribbean Trade Experts Meeting; * May 2 – Meeting of Officials of CARIFORUM ACP States; * May 3 – Meeting of CARIFORUM Ministers of Trade.

CHRIST CHURCH, BARBADOS - The Director-General of the Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery (CRNM), Ambassador the Honorable Dr. Richard Bernal, O.J., was the principle speaker at a town hall meeting, at the Nassau Beach Hotel, in the Bahamas on Monday the 20th of January. The meeting provided an opportunity for the Bahamian public to be sensitized about The Bahamas’ involvement in trade agreements.

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretary-General, Mr Edwin Carrington on Saturday, 30 November 2002, received Barbados= second highest National Award, the Companion of Honour of Barbados (Honorary) (CHB).

At a glittering ceremony at Government House, Bridgetown which formed part of the celebrations marking the 36th Anniversary of Independence, Barbados Governor-General H.E Sir Clifford Husbands GCMG KA, pinned the insignia on Mr Carrington. The award was conferred on the Secretary-General Afor his outstanding contribution to the development of the Caribbean Region.@

The Fifteenth Meeting of the Bureau of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) takes place on Monday, November 11, in Bridgetown, Barbados.

The Bureau comprises of the Chairman, President Bharrat Jagdeo of Guyana, Prime Minister Said Musa of Belize,(the immediate past chairman); Prime Minister Pierre Charles of Dominica (the incoming chairman); and the Secretary-General, Mr Edwin Carrington.

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) will take a major step in advancing the Regional integration process when the Unit to spearhead implementation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) opens its offices in Barbados on Monday 14 October, 2002.

The offices will be located on the 6th Floor of the Tom Adams Financial Centre in Bridgetown until the completion of the CARICOM Secretariat Headquarters Building in Georgetown, Guyana. This move is being made to accelerate the establishment of the Single Market and Economy.