Basseterre, St. Kitts - Newly elected President of the Caribbean Association of Industry and Commerce (CAIC), Mr Carol Evelyn, has recently concluded a successful round of meetings in Trinidad & Tobago in an effort to strengthen CAIC’s relationship with the Government and various private sector entities in the twin-island republic.
Among the highlights of Mr Evelyn’s August 6-7, 2009 visit to Trinidad & Tobago were three productive courtesy calls on the Country’s Prime Minister, Hon Patrick Manning; Minister of Trade & Industry, Hon Mariano Browne; and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon Paula Gopee-Scoon. These meetings provided an opportunity for Mr Evelyn to (a) introduce himself as the new President of CAIC; (b) focus on the CAIC’s strategic plan; (c) discuss the recommendations arising out of the 4th Annual Private Sector Meeting & Dinner held on June 13, 2009 in Jamaica; (d) provide an update on the establishment of the Caribbean Business Council (CBC) into which CAIC should be morphed; (e) canvass issues relating to a regional trading platform; and (f) raise with Prime Minister
Manning his Government’s desire to join the OECS Economic Union, among other matters. Also addressed with these three Ministers were the implementation of the CARICOM Single Market & Economy (CSME) and the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPA).
While in Trinidad & Tobago, Mr Evelyn also met with the President of the Trinidad & Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA), Mr Greig Laughlin. This meeting served as an opportunity to learn from the TTMA, a CAIC member organisation, areas of concern and ways in which CAIC can work with the association to achieve its objectives.
Mr Evelyn’s mission to Trinidad & Tobago was widely covered in the local media, among them being TV 6 and CNC 3. The CAIC President was accompanied to most of his meetings, interviews and courtesy calls by Chief Executive Officer of CAIC, Ms Carol Ayoung.
ST. KITTS-NEVIS CHAMBER OF INDUSTRY & COMMERCE (CIC)
CARIBBEAN ASSOCIATION OF INDUSTRY & COMMERCE (CAIC)
August 21, 2009
