Canadian delegation meets with Saint Lucian government
|
|
|
Tuesday, 06 May 2008 – A high level delegation from the government of Canada, held talks with Cabinet Tuesday on a range of issues including the re-engagement of the North American country in the region.
The delegation led by Canadian High Commissioner to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean His Excellency David Marshall, also provided Cabinet with an understanding of their country’s strategy for the Caribbean, and the role of the Canadian High Commission in Barbados.
Speaking specifically on that strategy the Canadian High Commissioner said, “It has issues and elements that Saint Lucia, I hope, will benefit greatly from. For example, part of the programme that was of great interest to the Cabinet was the programme we have for the retraining of youth, who have not received higher education but would need some form of skill and training. That is part of our programme in the region. There are programmes to help with financial restructuring, improving the revenue of the government and improving the efficiency of government.”
Prime Minister of Canada Honourable Stephen Harper recently visited Barbados and met with several CARICOM heads including Saint Lucia’s Prime Minister Honourable Stephenson King, reassuring Canada's commitment to the Caribbean region. Canada, the Canadian Prime Minister then said, is committed to renewing its relationship with the Caribbean with heavy focus on security, prosperity and good governance.
His major announcement at the Barbados meeting were the launching of free trade negotiations between Canada and CARICOM and a significant increase in the number of scholarships available to Caribbean nationals.
Canadian development assistance for the Commonwealth Caribbean are governance, economic renewal, and human capital development. Funding has been doubled to support these priorities over the next ten years, through regional and multi-country focussed initiatives. |
|
© 2008 Government Information Service. All rights reserved. Read our privacy guidelines. |
