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| Fort Thomas Hotel |
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, OCTOBER 4TH 2005 Local furniture, livestock, Caribbean cuisine, fruits and vegetables and agricultural machinery will be on display on Thursday following Wednesday's formal opening of the 5th Caribbean Week in Agriculture.
The Ministry of Agriculture, which stages an annual one-day exhibition every April, postponed the event this year to October to coincide with the hosting of the 5th Caribbean Week of Agriculture. The Open Day and Trade Show, normally held at the Department of Agriculture at La Guerite over the years has expanded into the adjoining St. Johnston Village Community Center, but will this year be held in the lobby and on the grounds of the Fort Thomas Hotel.
This year we are having, not just local exhibitors but also regional exhibitors, said Department of Agriculture official, Mr. Gene Knight, who added that the University of Guyana, the University of the West Indies, the St. Vincent-based East Caribbean Group of Companies and the Dominica Import-Export Agency will also have products on exhibition.
International and regional organisations including the Costa Rica-based Inter-American Institute on Agriculture (IICA), the Paris-based United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation, the Trinidad-based Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI), the Caribbean Fisheries Management Project will also have booth space at the Agricultural Fair.
The Republic of China (Taiwan) Agricultural Mission, usually a popular booth, Cable & Wireless (St. Kitts and Nevis) Ltd, Sun Surf Internet Café, Caribbean Voice and Data Services (CVDA) and Island Purified Water will mount booths.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ms. Terry Nisbett said the Ministry will use the opportunity to disseminate information and answer questions on the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME).
"We will also run a Power Point Presentation to assist in the education process of the CSME," Nisbett told the CUOPM.
Organisers said the exhibition of local furniture is a new feature and allows local furniture makers to showcase their products.
The students from the Culinary Arts Division at the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College will display and sell national dishes from the Caribbean on Thursday. A Sea Food Extravaganza, led by the Dieppe Bay Fishermen Cooperative, will be held on Friday and Saturday, it will be Goat Water Galore, in which judges will select the tastiest Goat Water.
Lunch time entertainment on Thursday will be provided by the Cayon High School Steel Band; the Basseterre High School Brass Ensemble will perform on Friday and a local string band will provide the music on Saturday.
The traditional Fashion Show will also be held to close the Agricultural Fair on Saturday.
A Kids Zone will also be set up and exotic animals, birds, fauna and flowers will also be on display and for sale.
Over 150 delegates including Ministers of Agriculture are attending worksshops and meetings this week.
