As someone associated with the development of the Single Market and Economy, I most excitedly welcome the publication of the Caribbean Trade and Investment Report 2000. Empirical research has to be the foundation of meaningful policy-making, especially in our rapidly changing regional, hemispheric and global environment, and it is in that regard that this publication will contribute immensely to informing our deliberations on the deepening of the integration process.
Press Releases
Trade with the European Union (EU) following the new Cotonou Agreement presents a unique challenge for the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) according to the Caribbean Trade and Investment Report, 2000 just released by the Economic and Intelligence and Planning Unit of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat. However, the Report cautions that the package also poses an imminent threat to the commodity producers of the Region.
Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Member States are being urged to exploit niche opportunities with "marketing savvy" in penetrating hemispheric markets such as the USA, which accounts for over 70 per cent of CARICOM's global exports and imports.
According to the Caribbean Trade and Investment Report, 2000, which was recently launched by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat, the bulk of CARICOM trade is within the hemisphere, with the USA being the largest trading partner.
The new radar network and the modification of the contribution formula of the Caribbean Meteorological Council (CMC) are key agenda items for the 40th Meeting of the Caribbean Meteorological Council which will be convened in Bridgetown, Barbados on 7-8 December, 2000.
It was with profound sorrow that the Caribbean Community ( CARICOM) Secretariat received the news of the passing of Sir Philip Manderson Sherlock on December 4, 2000 in Jamaica at the age of ninety-eight.
Sir Philip will be remembered for his firm belief in, and lifelong dedication to the education of the people of his beloved homeland, Jamaica, and of the entire Caribbean, for he believed that people at all levels of society could and would play an important role in the development of our Region.
Mr. Edwin Carrington, Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), has recently concluded a mission to three Eastern Caribbean countries, Member States of CARICOM. The States visited were St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Lucia and Dominica.
During the visit, Mr. Carrington briefed the Hon. Arnhim Eustace, Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and the Hon. Pierre Charles, Prime Minister of Dominica on regional and international issues of importance to the development of the Community.
Mr. Chairman,
Members of the National Assembly,
Allow me, Mr Chairman, to extend a word of welcome to_
Excellency Runaldo Ronald Venetiaan, President of the Republic of Suriname and Mrs. Venetiaan,
The Vice-President of the Republic of Suriname, Jules Rattan Ajodhia and Mrs Ajodhia,
Excellency Hugo Chavez, President of the Bolivian Republic of Venezuela,
Excellency Jeltje van Nieuwenhoven, Speaker of the Lower Chamber House of the States General,
Excellency Pedro Edwin Croes, Speaker of the States of Aruba,
Excellency Dudley Lucia, Speaker of the States of the Netherlands Antilles,
Excellency Els Borst, Vice-Premier of the Kingdom of the Netherlands,
THE MORAL AND CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY OF LEADERSHIP
Your Excellency Madame Minister Maria Elizabeth Levens,
Members of the Diplomatic Corps,
Distinguished Heads of International and Regional Organisations,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Madam Minister, It is an honour, which is deeply appreciated, to have been invited to respond on behalf of the diplomatic community to your kind expression of welcome to this luncheon in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Independence of Suriname.