Castries, St. Lucia Jan 9th 2008: OECS Heads of Government meet in Dominica, January 17th and 18th, with deeper economic integration of the sub-region high on their agenda.

This forty-sixth meeting of the OECS Authority precedes the launch of a major public consultation exercise on a draft Economic Union Treaty for the OECS. The meeting will deliberate on a plan of action for the exercise and confirm the role of Heads who have indicated their intention to take the lead in mobilizing region-wide commitment to and support for this new phase in the deepening of OECS integration. The meeting will also seek to advance several functional cooperation initiatives, including strengthening joint OECS relations with Brazil and building on the growing ties between the OECS and Puerto Rico. 

Economic development matters are expected to feature prominently. Heads will discuss the next steps for bananas, matters for follow up from the recent Caribbean/United States conference in Washington, and areas of interest for the OECS from last year’s visit by Canada’s Prime Minister to the Caribbean. Heads will also discuss plans for the second annual OECS Development Conference to be held later this year and which will put the spotlight on creative industries.

The Heads will decide on recommendations coming out of successful meetings of OECS Ministers of Tourism and Health and continue discussions on a number of sustainable development matters including an OECS Youth initiative. 

The meeting, at the Fort Young Hotel in Roseau, will be chaired by the current Chairman of the OECS Authority, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit of Dominica. The two days of deliberations will be preceded by an opening ceremony on the evening of Wednesday January 16th.