The 32nd session of the OECS Economic Affairs Committee (EAC) will be held in St. Vincent and the Grenadines at the Government Headquarters in Kingstown from August 11th – 12th 2003.

The implementation of the OECS Development Strategy, approved by the OECS Authority a year ago will lead the discussions. The strategy is designed to facilitate the best possible response by OECS member countries to negative fallouts arising from the ever-changing global economy. To this end the strategy attempts to identify key areas OECS Members may want to pursue to help ensure continuous growth and stability while confronting challenges.

In examining the capacity of member countries to respond to global economic demands, the meeting will evaluate the strength of key sectors in the OECS such as Information and Communications Technology, Agriculture, Export Development, Education and Training, Health, and Tourism.

Director of the OECS Economic Affairs Division (EAD) Randolph Cato stresses that the existing global economy underscores the urgency for the implementation of OECS Development Strategy by member states. He says this will help inform a consistent and coherent regional framework that could provide a further anchor for the initiatives that must be pursued.

During the two days of talks, economic policy advisers and Ministers mainly of International Trade and of Economic Developments will discuss how their respective and varied capacities will inform External Trade Negotiations relating to core issues such as the World trade Organisation and the proposed Free Trade Area of the Americas.

Delegates will also be briefed on WTO Negotiations and preparations for the upcoming Ministerial slated for Mexico in September. A report on the launch of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) and updates on the Caricom Single Market and Economy as well as the OECS Economic Union Programme are also part of the agenda.

For futher inoformation contact:
Randolph Cato Director, OECS EAD.
Raymond O’Keiffe Comm. Officer OECS Sec. email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Kendol Morgan Senior Communications Officer. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it