Poverty & Social Development: A Caribbean Perspective

January 10, 2006
St. John’s Antigua

Antigua and Barbuda assumed the chairmanship of The Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) which began it Twentieth Meeting in Georgetown, Guyana on Monday 9th January, 2006. Foremost on the Agenda for the COTED meeting is the implementation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME).

Under the chairmanship of Minister of Finance and Economy Dr the Hon. L. Errol Cort, the COTED meeting will discuss the establishment and operation of the Single Market, a programme of support to Member States, the development of CSME institutions such as the Regional Development Fund, the Regional Competition Commission, the Regional Accreditation Body and the Caribbean Food Health and Safety Agency. The meeting will also consider matters relating to the Common External Tariff, Rules of Origin and CARICOM Standards. Further, the aspect of Trade in Services will also be fully discussed.

The Government of Antigua and Barbuda views its chairmanship of COTED at this critical point in the history of the organization and vital juncture of the implementation of the CSME as an honour.

The meeting of officials ends today while the Ministerial meeting will be on 12th January. Antigua and Barbuda’s delegation is being lead by Dr. the Honourable Errol Cort, Minister of Finance and the Economy and also includes Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance and the Economy (Industry and Commerce) Mr. Cordell Weston, Ambassador Dr. Clarence Henry, Trade Coordinator and Ms. Barbara Williams, Research Officer in the CSME Unit. Dr. Cort will chair the Ministerial Meeting of COTED on Thursday, 12th January.

The COTED meeting will be followed by the CARICOM Council of Ministers Meeting which will be held on Friday 13th January.