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Emir of Qatar, His Royal Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani |
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, JUNE 13TH 2005 - With the closure of the St. Kitts sugar industry in July, the continued welfare of the 1500 sugar workers and their families, will get the attention of the international community during this weeks meeting of the Group of 77 in Qatar.
Prime Minister Douglas in Doha for the two-day meeting on South-South co-operation, event is expected to meet on the sidelines with the Emir of Qatar, His Royal Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani and the Prime Minister of India, the Hon. Manmohan Singh.
A well-placed source said the effects of globalisation on small economies like St. Kitts and Nevis as it is being played out with the forced closure of the 300-year-old Sugar Industry and the need for short term assistance in the transition period, and medium and long-term assistance in the transformation of the national economy, will be key in the discussions.
We expect nothing less as part of the development agenda from the developed countries. Of course we will expect support from the EU especially as Britain prepares itself to lead the European body for the next six months starting in July, said the Caribbean diplomat.
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| Prime Minister of India, the Hon. Manmohan Singh |
British Prime Minister, the Right Hon. Tony Blair, will be addressing the conference.
We hope that St. Kitts and Nevis should urgently be allowed to access the package of assistance as the needs are immediate considering the early decision to exit because of the grave situation in the industry, the senior Caribbean diplomat told the Communications Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister.
