The Government of Puerto Rico has publicly recognized the efforts of OECS Director General Dr. Len Ishmael to foster closer cooperation between OECS Member States and Puerto Rico.{{more}}
A Puerto Rican government delegation, led by Secretary of State Jose Izquierdo Encarnacion, presented a plaque to Dr. Ishmael during the ceremonies to mark the opening of the 39th Meeting of the OECS Authority in St. Vincent and the Grenadines on Wednesday, May 19.
Since assuming the leadership of the OECS Secretariat in May 2003, Dr. Ishmael has led negotiations on areas for closer ties between the nine-member OECS and their northern Caribbean neighbour.
The efforts led to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the OECS Member States and Puerto Rico during the opening ceremony of the meeting.
The MOU lays the framework for coordination in the areas of education, commerce and tourism promotion among others.
The Puerto Rican Secretary of State announced at the signing ceremony an offer of scholarships to OECS nationals to pursue Spanish language courses at the University of Puerto Rico.
He also announced that his government will finance the establishment of an OECS office in San Juan to provide the sub-region with a presence in Puerto Rico which will be used for tourism and other promotions.