September 16, 1997 - Private Sector Officials from the Eastern Caribbean will join government officials and members of the Policy Coordinating Committee of the OECS, to discuss a range of critical economic and trade issues affecting the sub-region.

The meeting, which taken place in Grenada on Tuesday September 16, is a follow up to talks held in the June Summit of the OECS and will address progress towards an OECS Single Market and Economy, External Economic Relations in respect of Post Lome Arrangement and plans for the ratification of Protocol two, which involves the movement of capital, people and labour. Also down for discussion is a major economic diversification project, to be financed by the World Bank.

Director of the Castries based Economic Affairs Secretariat, Randolph Cato says that renewed attention will also be paid to any remaining chances of the islands forming a political union. Mr. Cato notes that the OECS governments regard this as an important meeting, at which, it is hoped the OECS Private Sector will develop into a well structured regional organization.