The Guyana Government will be spending some $39 million for the hosting of the 28th Inter-Sessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (Caricom), which will be held on February 16 and 17 at the Marriott Hotel in Georgetown.
Ahead of the confab, Caricom Chairman, President David Granger, told local media operatives that the regional body needs to strengthen its infusion of resources in order to drive a major transformation in the economic landscape of all member states.
“(I) feel that a combination of the expertise and capital available in the island states, particularly tourism, combined with the resources of the larger mainland states like Belize, Guyana, Suriname, we could have faster economic growth and the people of the Community can enjoy a better standard of living,” he stated during his televised programme ‘The Public Interest’.
President Granger lamented the slow pace being made in enjoying fully the benefits from the single market, but he was positive that this reality will change in no time, once the commitment is present.
“At present, I don’t think we are benefiting fully from that single market, there are still heavy penetrations from major external manufacturers and this penetration is undermining local manufacturing capabilities… So the question is the matter of combing the resources of all 15 member states to ensure we have the fullest benefit from the single market,” he stated.
Guyana, being the host country, will present the draft Caricom Arrest Warrant Treaty for ratification at the meeting.
The adoption of this Treaty will simplify the procedures by which fugitives from justice are returned to participating member states to face criminal prosecution or serve judicial sentences.
The Treaty is one of the regional security instruments that was formulated to enhance cooperation between member states in the fight against crime and to reduce the complexity, cost and delays in the existing extradition arrangements inherent in the Region.
Guyana will also be recommending the signing of a draft agreement to establish the Caribbean Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (CCREEE) at the Heads of Government meeting.
Only recently, President Granger briefed Caricom Secretary General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque and his team on the upcoming conference.
The President’s team included Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge; Ivan Evelyn, Head of Protocol Foreign Affairs Ministry; Audrey Waddle, Director of Foreign Affairs; Sharlene Phoenix, Foreign Affairs Ministry, Guyana; Neville Bissember, Adviser, Office of the Secretary General; Charmaine Atkinson-Jordan, Chef-de-Cabinet, Office of the Secretary General; Ambassador Colin Granderson, Assistant Secretary General, Foreign and Community Relations, Caricom Secretariat; and Mr Joseph Cox, Assistant Secretary General, Trade and Economic Integration, Caricom Secretariat.
