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Contact:
John Emmanuel
Tuesday, June 17, 2003 – Wednesday June 18th, 2003 is being observed in
the sub-region as OECS Day. The observance marks the 22nd anniversary of the
Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) and the St. Lucia headquartered
Secretariat is leading activities marking the occasion.
Communication Officer Raymond O’Keith says the OECS grouping has made good on
its mandate to promote co-operation at the regional level, pursue unity and
solidarity while defending their sovereignty, promoting economic integration
together with pursing joint policies initially in seventeen specific areas. “We
have seen significant strides in terms of a single currency and the Central Bank
which has resulted in a very strong EC dollar, said O’Keith. “There have also
been strides concerning a single Supreme Court and a judicial system couple with
a single Civil Aviation Administration and Pharmaceutical Procurement Service.”
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Dr. Len
Ishmael, OECS Director General |
A major plus for the grouping he stated was the recent liberalization of the
telecommunications industry in the sub-region. “This all goes hand in hand with
developments concerning a single Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, which
has placed telecommunications very much on the agenda with the liberalization of
some of the industries in member territories. Indeed there have been recognized
strides in terms of the work that the OECS has done over its two decades of
existence and the administrative role the Secretariat has played based on its
mandate,” remarked O’Keith.
The OECS was brought into being on 18th of June by the Treaty of Basseterre
signed in St. Kitts in 1981. Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Kenny Anthony will lead
today’s celebrations taking place at the Secretariat on the Morne under the
theme “New Directions: Past, Present and Future.”
Also in attendance will be current OECS Chairman – Montserrat’s Chief Minister
Jon Osborne and newly appointed OECS Director General Dr. Len Ishmeal.
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