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Contact:
Claudia Monlouis
Wednesday, June 01, 2005 - Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of
External Affairs, International Trade and Civil Aviation Mr. Cosmos Richardson
has dispelled the view that issues of trade are to be confined to governmental
circles. Mr. Richardson made the comments at a handing over ceremony of a Trade Reference
Centre linking St. Lucia to the trade data bases of thirteen Caribbean
countries. The presentation took place on Monday, May 30th at the Central
Library in Castries.
This Trade Reference Centre which comprises domestic, regional and international
trade information is meant to bolster the country’s ability to make strategic
contributions to the global trade dialogue. Permanent Secretary in the Ministry
of External Affairs, International Trade and Civil Aviation Mr. Cosmos
Richardson says as Saint Lucia remains integrally involved in several trade
negotiations such as the Free Trade Agreement of the Americas (FTAA) the World
Trade Organisation -WTO and the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME) among
others, information related specifically to global and Caribbean trade have
mushroomed into an absolute necessity.
“The aim of this project is to facilitate access to information on the topics
addressed in trade negotiations and to increase public awareness on trade issues
in Caribbean countries by making available copies of the OAS Foreign Trade
Information System Data Base on trade agreements, national legislation and
related information on topics of the negotiations process.”
Director of the OAS Office in St. Lucia Mr. Alphonsus Antoine says “the attitude
of this information is to support the bread and butter planning that must take
place in St. Lucia and the Caribbean if we are to survive and prosper in the
21st century. That is why three computers that will contain this critical
information will be various locations where every facet of the society will be
able to access the information.”
Copies of the database will also be made available to stake holders through the
country including several public libraries.
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