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Contact:
John Emmanuel
Wednesday, March 17, 2004 - Plans are said to be progressing smoothly,
for the convening of a much anticipated high level regional consultation on the
future of the banana industry in the coming months. The decision to hold the
consultation came out of a recent meeting in London, involving St. Lucia’s Prime
Minister, Honourable Dr. Kenny Anthony and his counterparts from Dominica, and
St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
The May consultation scheduled to take place in St. Vincent will involve all the
agencies linked to the banana industry, and representatives from the major UK
supermarkets chains which sell the fruit. Speaking to reporters, Prime Minister,
Honourable Dr. Kenny Anthony expressed optimism in the survivability of the
banana industry, although he was quick to note that much of that would depend on
what happens in Europe. “It is very important that we ensure that Europe carries
into the traffics the very same principles of equity that they apply to the
tariff/quota arrangement that currently exist,” he said.
These developments, Dr. Anthony indicated would mean that the region’s banana
producing states would have to invest heavily in diplomatic resources. It’s in
that light that the three Prime Ministers are hoping to meet again in May, for
the purpose of appointing a top ranking technocrat to lead the diplomatic
challenge. “We will appoint this person who understands Brussels and can
dialogue with the major EU capitals and decision makers on the issues,”
exclaimed Dr. Anthony.
The announcement of the diplomat is expected to be made shortly.
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