(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) Crime and climate change were the major topics of discussion between the Prime Minister of The Bahamas the Rt Honourable Perry Christie and the Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Ambassador Irwin LaRocque at the Prime Minister’s Nassau office on Thursday.
The Secretary-General, on the second day of his official visit to The Bahamas, brought the Prime Minister up to date on issues engaging the Community including actions to combat crime and climate change. In recognising the adverse effect of the two issues on the human and economic development of the Region, they acknowledged that one of the most threatened areas on the economic side was the tourism sector.
Prime Minister Christie outlined measures that his government was taking on the social side to combat crime in his country including an initiative at the community level entitled Urban Renewal.
Secretary-General LaRocque also met on Thursday with the Honourable Ryan Pinder, Minister of Financial Services who also has portfolio responsibility for Trade. Minister Pinder briefed the Secretary on initiatives being taken by The Bahamas in the areas of his responsibility, laying some emphasis on the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the Region and the European Union (EU).
For his part, Ambassador LaRocque expressed his pleasure at the increased role being played by the Minister and his government in trade matters within the Community. He welcomed the Minister’s views on public private partnerships and the problems posed by differentiation as well as the need for a regional position on financial services.
The Secretary-General left The Bahamas on Friday for the 24th Interssional Meeting of Heads of Government beginning in Haiti on Monday 18 February.
