Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda to set tone for New York Conference on the Caribbean
NEW YORK – As preparations are heightened prior to the launching of the New York Conference on the Caribbean later this week, a number of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) have confirmed their attendance at the two-day event in Brooklyn, New York.
The Conference will be launched on Thursday, June 19, at the Brooklyn Borough Hall by the Hon. Baldwin Spencer, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda. Most of the other Conference activities, including an Education Symposium and sessions on Trade and Investment, will be held at the Marriott New York at the Brooklyn Bridge.
The New York Conference on the Caribbean coincides with events to mark Caribbean-American Heritage Month in the United States. The Conference will feature high level meetings between Heads of Government and key officials including Congressman Charles Rangel, Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee of the House of Representatives; Mr. David Paterson, Governor of New York; Mr. Michael Bloomberg, Mayor of New York; Mr. Marty Markowitz, Brooklyn Borough President, and top executives of Wall Street.
At one of the first encounters shortly after the official launch of the Conference, CARICOM Heads of Government and their delegations will begin trade talks with key officials in New York at the Marriott New York at the Brooklyn Bridge.
‘Trade and Foreign Direct Investment as Instruments to spur Economic Growth and Achieve Sustainable Development in the Caribbean’ is the theme of a luncheon event that will be addressed by speakers, including New York City Comptroller Mr. William Thompson Jr., and Mr. Paterson.
Later in the afternoon, other encounters focusing on trade and investment will be hosted by the New York Empire State Development Corporation at the Marriott.
On Friday, delegates will discuss investment at several meetings with top executives of Wall Street. The general theme of those meetings is ‘The Role of International Institutions in Assisting Small States to Achieve Competitive Advantage in the Global Marketplace’.
Following the meetings, Congressman Rangel will host a press conference at the New York Stock Exchange.
The Diaspora’s involvement in the development of the Community will be discussed at York College, Performing Arts Center in Queens later on Friday. The Diaspora meeting follows an official tour of Harlem by Conference Delegates.
