NEW YORK – Dr. June Soomer, St. Lucia’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary with responsibility for the OECS, CARICOM and Diaspora Affairs, says the OECS Economic Union to be launched in July next year will not counter Caribbean Community (CARICOM) efforts to unite the region.
To be held under the auspices of St. Lucia’s Prime Minister’s office, in partnership with St. Lucia’s Consulate General in New York and Permanent Mission to the United Nations, Ambassador Soomer will join other government officials and St. Lucian and Caribbean nationals at a town hall meeting this Thursday, August 6, 2009 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Brooklyn’s Borough Hall (209 Joralemon Street) in New York.
Dr. June Soomer
The roadshow features country team presentations from the National Development Bank, the National Development Corporation, the Ministry of Finance, and the Office of the Prime Minister.
Discussions will focus on investment opportunities in St. Lucia, the importance of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Economic Union – including freedom of movement and rights of establishment of businesses across the OECS – as well as “Homecoming 2010” which seeks to solidify bonds between St. Lucians at home and abroad.
Town hall attendees will have a chance to win complimentary hotel stays in St. Lucia.
According to the OECS Secretariat, the rationale for the establishment of an economic union is the development challenges that the small states of the OECS face as a result of globalisation and trade liberalisation, which can only be countered by the creation of a single economic space which allows the free movement of people, goods, services and capital, leading to economic diversification and growth, greater export competitiveness and more employment and human resource development. As a foundation for the development, the OECS already has a common currency.
