CARICOM delegation visits Haiti to gather data that will enable it to develop a program of assistance

Port-au-Prince - AHP — A CARICOM technical mission has been working in Haiti since Sunday in an effort to follow through on promises made by the regional organization to the new Haitian government.

The delegation of seven members is led by Ambassador Colin Granderson, who is CARICOM's Assistant Secretary General. The primary objective of the mission is to collect data for specific detailed proposals for a program of assistance by CARICOM that reflects the priorities of the Haitian government as well as to identify the areas requiring immediate expert missions.

The delegation will remain in Haiti until October 20 and also includes a senior official of the Caribbean Development Bank, Alan Flusher, as well as Hugh Cholmondeley, coordinator in chief of the CARICOM Working Group on Haiti, and several specialists in agro-industry, research and agricultural development.

Proposals will be made regarding the reopening of the CARICOM office in Haiti and working sessions concerning commercial agreements and regional integration will be organized with the working group set up by the office of the Haitian president.

The mission will evaluate the level of expertise of the Haitian administration with a view to its effective participation in CARICOM institutions.

Alongside the work of the technical mission, three CARICOM government ministers are expected to arrive in Haiti Wednesday to demonstrate CARICOM's support to the Haitian government.

The ministers are Saint Lucia's Prime Minister Kenny Anthony, Prime Minister Denzil Douglas from Saint Kits and Nevis and Roosvelt Skerritt from Dominica.

AHP October 16, 2006 1:20 PM