Business
Trinidad & Tobago assumes chairmanship of CARICOM
The oil-rich twin-island nation of Trinidad & Tobago has assumed the chairmanship of CARICOM (Caribbean Community) from Haiti, following the expiration of the latter’s six-month rotating term.
Trinidad & Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, is now the Chairperson of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM, and will be presiding over the 34th meeting of Heads of Government which commences on Wednesday July 3 in Port of Spain.
CARICOM heads of government including outgoing Chairman and Haiti President Michel Martelly, Bahamas Prime Minister Perry Christie and Barbados Prime Minister Freundel Stuart are among those scheduled to speak Wednesday.
Trinidad & Tobago was the scene of the signing of the Treaty of Chaguaramas, which founded CARICOM, 40 years ago on July 4, 1973.
In a statement to the press, CARICOM said the meeting would be focusing on “charting a new new direction for growth and development; transportation, the reform process in CARICOM and a proposal for a high-level meeting on persons with disabilities and special needs.”