Agard: Conference was long overdue

“This conference has been a long time coming” said Nadine Agard, Business Facilitation Officer of the National Investment Promotions Inc. (NIPI), as she spoke of the Conference on the Caribbean held in Washington from June 19-21, 2007.{{more}}

Agard stated that the forum was held to create a platform on which the region’s ideas and concerns could be expressed, as well as to relate them to the United States. Whereas Agard said CARICOM aims to make our region a self-reliant one, she said as a relatively young organization there is need for a ‘little push’, from the United States.

She explained that the conference touched on many different focal points, including education, and health (specifically HIV/AIDS), two problematic areas with which CARICOM has requested assistance from the United States.

With regard to tourism, Agard said there was heavy focus on the environment, with emphasis on the importance of eco-tourism, sustainable development and reducing our carbon footprint. Mentioning that the Caribbean region is highly competitive within the tourism sphere, she said that it is important to cooperate and implement policies that have brought success to sister islands. She also made mention of a session regarding renewable energy resources, particularly ethanol, which would be relatively easy to produce and would bring about economic opportunities.

Referring to the private sector, Agard said the aim is to make the region a “warm and friendlier climate for investment”. She mentioned that NIPI aims to invite investors that will work in the interest of the country, and noted that these investors bring employment opportunities to St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Beyond that, Agard said there was discussion of the possibility of marketing local products, such as bush teas, herbs and spices, so that profit can be made.

The Conference was held in Washington from June 19th to the 21st, which Agard said was an experience in itself, adding that it allowed for some of the most esteemed individuals in the Caribbean to speak on important issues affecting the region. (KP)