Basseterre, St. Kitts, June 11, 2014 (SKNIS): Four representatives from St. Kitts and Nevis are presently in St. Lucia attending a media clinic, to sensitize themselves and the public at large on the Organization of the Eastern Caribbean States’ (OECS) Economic Affairs Council.
Sherema Matthew of the St. Kitts and Nevis Information Service (SKNIS), Kinney James of ZIZ Broadcasting Corporation, Drizzel Hanley of the Labour Spokesman and Javon Liburd of the Regional Integration Diaspora Unit are taking active part in the two-day session which commenced Tuesday, June 10.
The initial meeting saw presentations from various individuals such as Dr. Didacus Jules, OECS Director-General; Elma Gene Isaac, Regional Integration Unit (OECS Secretariat); David Popo, of the Social Sustainable Development Division; and Stan Bishop who is attached to the Media Department.
Dr. Jules spoke highly of the use of the internet where OECS is concerned and pointed out that steps need to be taken to assure the security and well-being of citizens in the OECS.
“It is important to design an OECS Job Creation Strategy, where it would optimize human resource development and capacity in the single space,” he said. “Designing a healthy lifestyle framework, converging poverty intervention strategies in the OECS space and security of homes and communities, should also be considered.”
Elma Gene-Isaac touched on the topic of the state of the Economic Union and its protocols.
“A lot has been done under the OECS Economic Union,” she stated. “We have made progress in free movement of people, free circulation of goods, common tourism policy, growth and development strategy, just to name a few.”
She said all countries need to work together to enact legislations and laws.
The OECS consists of nine Caribbean countries namely: Antigua and Barbuda, The Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, British Virgin Islands and Anguilla.
The inaugural meeting of the Economic Affairs Council is scheduled for June 12-14 and media representatives are expected to provide coverage for the opening ceremony on Thursday.
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