The meeting will consider the effects of the financial crisis on key sectors, including tourism and construction, and will also examine social safety net provisions for the needy and dispossessed.  Heads will also discuss issues for the OECS from international developments regarding tax havens.

A status report will be presented to the meeting on the OECS Economic Union process.  Heads will receive presentations on the work programme and public awareness campaign. Member States are in the process of rolling out national public consultation exercises which are providing their people with an opportunity to comment on and make inputs into a draft OECS Economic Union Treaty.   

The Heads will also discuss preliminary matters in relation to the OECS Economic Union - Trinidad and Tobago merger.  A target date of December 2009 has been set for the establishment of the OECS Economic Union and Trinidad and Tobago is expected to become a member of the Economic Union by 2011. 

Also on the packed agenda for the Heads will be discussions on a regional approach to formulation of an energy policy; climate change; and a report from the Pharmaceutical Procurement Service through which Member States pool resources for the joint purchasing of medical supplies. 

This 49th Meeting of the OECS Authority will be chaired by the incoming OECS Chairman, Hon. Dr. Lowell Lewis, the Chief Minister of Montserrat.  It takes place at the Treasure Isle Hotel, Tortola.  The Opening Ceremony will be held at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College on Wednesday May 20th from 5:00 pm. 

The OECS Member States are Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Anguilla and the British Virgin Islands.