Prime Minister heads back to Trinidad

The last time we saw Prime Minister Dean Barrow in the Caribbean he was acting in the capacity of CARICOM Chair at the Summit of the Americas in Trinidad and Tobago in April. Well today P.M. Barrow left Belize en route to Port of Spain, Trinidad once again to attend a special meeting for the Heads of Government from the Region.

The meeting scheduled for Sunday, May twenty-fourth, is being convened to discuss changes in the economic circumstances of Member States arising from changes in their traditional trading relationships and the global economic and financial crisis. As a result the meeting’s agenda is expected to include: the status of preparations for the negotiations of a CARICOM-Canada trade and development agreement; issues relating to CARIFORUM-EC Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA); update on CARICOM Aid for TRADE initiatives and consideration of the outcome of the Latin America and Caribbean Regional Review.

The CARICOM Heads will also exchange views on the external trade negotiations agenda and will receive an update on the implementation of the decision regarding the incorporation of the Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery (CRNM) into the CARICOM secretariat as a specialized department.

The Prime Minister will be accompanied by Financial Adviser, Mr. Alan Slusher. During his absence, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural resources and the Environment, the Hon. Gaspar Vega, will serve as Acting Prime Minister. Barrow is scheduled to return to Belize on Tuesday, May twenty-sixth.