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[Media Invitation] 6th Council of Ministers: Trade (Opening Ceremony)

INVITATION TO COVER

WHAT: This high-level event will focus on strengthening regional trade policies, advancing economic integration, and addressing pressing trade challenges.

Key topics include:

  • OECS Trade Policy: The Council will review and strengthen the OECS Trade Policy Coordinating Framework, including establishing an OECS Trade Policy Committee with representatives from government, private sector, and civil society.
  • Economic Integration Efforts: The Council will discuss the Eastern Caribbean Economic Union (ECEU), focusing on two key components—the operationalization of an OECS Customs Union (free circulation of goods) and the free trade in services regime.
  • CARICOM Coordination: Since OECS Member States are also part of CARICOM, the Council will work on aligning its participation in the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME). This includes competition policy enforcement and preparations for the 60th CARICOM Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) meeting.
  • External Trade Relations: The Council will receive updates on World Trade Organization (WTO) activities and preparations for its Fourteenth Ministerial Conference in 2025.
  • Impact of America First Trade Policies, including Recent Higher Tariffs Rates : The Council will assess the impact of President Donald Trump’s second-term "America First" Trade Policy, which has led to higher global trade tariffs.

WHO:

  • Chairman: Hon. Joseph Andall, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Trade and Export Development of Grenada.
  • H.E. Dr. Didacus Jules, Director General of the OECS
  • OECS Ministers of Trade 

WHEN: Wednesday, May 14, 2025

TIME: 9:00 a.m.

LOCATION: Grenada Room, Radisson Grenada Beach Resort

HOW:

  • The Opening Ceremony will be live-streamed on the OECS social media platforms: Youtube and Facebook
  • The Agency for Public Information in St. Vincent and the Grenadines (API) Youtube Channel

JOURNALISTS, PHOTOGRAPHERS & VIDEOGRAPHERS - PLEASE BE PRESENT BY 8:30 A.M. 

 

Marvin St. Louis

Communications Specialist, Organisation of Eastern Caribbean Sates

OECS Communications Unit

Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States

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About The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States

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The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) is an International Organisation dedicated to economic harmonisation and integration, protection of human and legal rights, and the encouragement of good governance among independent and non-independent countries in the Eastern Caribbean. The OECS came into being on June 18th 1981, when seven Eastern Caribbean countries signed a treaty agreeing to cooperate with each other while promoting unity and solidarity among its Members. The Treaty became known as the Treaty of Basseterre, so named in honour of the capital city of St. Kitts and Nevis where it was signed. The OECS today, currently has twelve members, spread across the Eastern Caribbean comprising Antigua and Barbuda, Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, St Vincent and The Grenadines, British Virgin Islands, Anguilla, Martinique, Guadeloupe and Saint Martin. 

Contact

Morne Fortune Castries Saint Lucia

+1758-455-6327

media@oecs.int

www.oecs.int