Welcome

Before travelling to Ottawa, I had the opportunity to meet OECS leaders, public officials, and the Director General and senior members of staff of the OECS Secretariat. The collective theme was the re-energising of the relationship between Canada and the OECS.

It is, therefore, my intention to increase our contacts with federal officials and the business community, and to focus essentially on trade, investment and tourism. I will also work assiduously to raise the international profile of the OECS throughout Canada. These are the areas which will make our islands more sustainable.

Small states like ours have common problems which can only be addressed through collective efforts. Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s recent visit to the Caribbean provided a timely opportunity for a fresh start. His pronouncement on trade for the region was enthusiastically received.

It is well known that the OECS nationals are very proud of their heritage. The facts show that the Diaspora make a significant financial contribution to their respective countries and have distinguished themselves in their various fields of endeavour. It is, therefore, in this spirit of love and patriotism that the High Commission would encourage nationals to return home on a temporary basis to contribute their time, effort and expertise.

With this abundance of talents and skills in the Diaspora, the High Commission will move swiftly to establish a database of qualified OECS nationals, who, with their achievements, could accelerate the development thrust.

It is with a great sense of enthusiasm and humility that I stand ready to face the exciting challenges ahead. And I will vigorously represent the interests of all OECS nationals here in Canada and those at home.

H.E. Brendon C. Browne
HIGH COMMISSIONER