Friday the Haitian Ambassador to CARICOM, Peterson Noël, the Director General of the Ministry of Commerce Daniel Denis and the Deputy Spokesman of the National Police of Haiti (PNH), Inspector Gary Desrosiers confirmed that all the provisions were taken to ensure the smooth running of the 29th Meeting of the CARICOM Conference of Heads of State and Government to be held at the Mariott Hotel in Port-au-Prince on Monday 26th and 27th February 2018.

This important event will bring together 14 delegations of the members of the Caribbean Community as well as 3 associate members (Cayman Islands, Montserrat and the Turks and Caicos Islands). 10 Heads of State and Government confirmed their presence in Haiti.

Inspector Gary Desrosiers, while calling on drivers' understanding and cooperation to facilitate movement on the related sections of road at the event headquarters, said 454 police will be deployed on this occasion.

For his part, Ambassador Peterson Noël recalled that during this event several points will be debated https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-23622-haiti-politic-d-5-10-heads-of-state-and-government-expected-in-haiti.html including :

Security at the Caribbean level :

The high incidence of crime and violence across the Community will also be examined. Heads at their last meeting discussed key initiatives directed towards combatting transnational organized crime which, they noted, continues to be one of the most immediate and significant threats facing the Region. They also directed their focus towards the development of a CARICOM Counter terrorism Strategy which is being finalized for adoption.

The CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) :

The Meeting will seek to advance plans to further strengthen key elements of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) including those related to travel and trade. Discussion will also focus on key transportation issues including Regional Air Services, and on advancing regional initiatives in Tourism aimed at stimulating further sustainable growth in the sector.

The case of member countries on the American blacklist :

Heads will look at the impact on CARICOM Member States of blacklisting actions. Last December the EU included four Member States on a list of countries it deemed non-cooperative tax jurisdictions. There is also ongoing concern about the de-risking strategies by global banks and the labelling of CARICOM Member States in some quarters as tax havens.

The Meeting, at the Mariott Port-au-Prince Hotel, opens on Monday with a brief Opening Session at which remarks will be presented by CARICOM Secretary-General Ambassador Irwin LaRocque; the immediate-past CARICOM Chairman, Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell of Grenada and the current Chairman, President Jovenel Moïse of Haiti.

HL/ HaitiLibre