Antigua and Barbuda

CODRINGTON, Barbuda, Friday August 12, 2011 – The fishing industry in Barbuda has received a boost following the construction of an Artisanal Fisheries Complex. Through the project, fish and lobster products from Barbuda will be able to satisfy the international quality control requirements to export to European Union countries.

A dedication ceremony for the $30 million dollars complex, which is the fifth artisanal Fisheries Facility to be built in the twin-island state under the Government of Japan’s Grant Aid Scheme, was held this week.

(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) On the invitation of the Government of Antigua and Barbuda, the Caribbean Community mounted a CARICOM Electoral Observer Mission to monitor the election system and processes, as well as the conduct of the General Elections held on 12 March 2009.

The eleven member Observer Mission led by Mr. Noel Lee, former Director of Elections of Jamaica was drawn from the following CARICOM Member States_

• Barbados;
• Guyana;
• Haiti;
• Jamaica;
• Saint Lucia; and,
• Suriname.

Accessibility to Information Communication Technologies ICT’s will determine the rate at which a knowledge-based economy will emerge in Antigua and Barbuda, expressed Dr Edmond Mansoor, Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister responsible for Information, Broadcasting and Communications in an information society seminar recently.

  (CARICOM Secretariat, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) Six remaining Caribbean Community Member States have agreed to complete all arrangements and join the CARICOM Single Market by 31 March 2006.

(CARICOM Secretariat, Georgetown, Guyana) A CARICOM Minister responsible for youth affairs has challenged the Community's young people with the responsibility to "make a difference" in the fight against the spread of the HIV/AIDS Epidemic.

CARICOM Customs officials will participate in a Customs Valuation Workshop to upgrade their skills in data collection for different valuation methods from 13-17 September, in Antigua and Barbuda.

The Workshop is part of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Commitment to CARICOM Member States to meet their WTO obligations and is aimed mainly at enhancing the trade positions of CARICOM countries in the global trade arena.

In keeping with the decision taken by Heads of Government at their 25th Regular Meeting in Grenada 4-7 July, the 18th meeting of the Bureau of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) will be held at Grand Anse, Grenada on Wednesday (July 28) to receive the report of the CARICOM Ministerial team which visited Haiti earlier this month. The Bureau is comprised of the Chairman (The Prime Minister of Grenada), the Outgoing Chairman (The Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda),  the Incoming Chairman (The President of Suriname), and the Secretary General.

Mr. Chairman;
Colleague Heads of Government;
Distinguished Members of the Legislative,
Judicial and Executive Authorities of Grenada;
Esteemed Secretary General of the Commonwealth;
Esteemed Secretary General of the Organisation of American States;
Excellencies of the Diplomatic Corps;
Distinguished Delegates;
Specially Invited Guests;
Ladies and Gentlemen;
Brothers and Sisters_