St Lucia and Chile Strengthens Bilateral Relations

St. Lucia and Chile are focused on strengthening their bilateral ties. The St. Lucia Governor General Dame Pearlette Louisy accepted the credentials of Chile's Ambassador, Eduardo Bonilla. Chile has contributed significantly to St. Lucia's development in agriculture, Spanish language, and diplomacy training over the last two decades.

Governor General Dame Pearlette Louisy stated, “Saint Lucia has benefited from Chile’s bi-lateral cooperation with CARICOM States and we look with eager anticipation to greater collaboration between the region and Chile within the framework of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States".

To read more: St Lucia and Chile Strengthens Bilateral Relations

Cassava yields in Trinidad and Tobago expected to rise!

The Food Security Programme of Trinidad and Tobago Ministry of Food Production, Land and Marine Affairs (MEPLMA) along side the National Food Production Action Plan 2012-2015 has acknowledged Cassava as one of the country's staples. This acknowledgement has incited the participation of the Columbia's International Centre for Tropical Agriculture. The National Food Production Action Plan main objective is to increase cassava production from 5,454 tonnes to 18,182 tonnes. To carry-out this objective a week research programme was held at the UWI involving the following members: 

• Dr. Clair Hershey, leader of the Cassava Programme at  Columbia's International Centre for Tropical Agriculture
• Dr. Judy Rouse-Miller, Lecturer of Botany at UWI (facilitator for Dr. Clair Hershey)
• Dr. Roosevelt Escobar, leading research scientist in Colombia

Columbia's International Centre for Tropical Agriculture has been successful in executing micro propagation of cassava clones with the use of cost-efficient temporary tissue culture systems. These culture systems provides rapid turnover of planting material for cassava production. This method has been perceived as a viable source for sustainable development, since it is capable of increasing cassava production. 

To read more on this topic: Cassava yields expected to rise

OECS celebrates 32 years

In Castries, St. Lucia the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) celebrated its 32nd anniversary on Tuesday 18th June, 2013. The officials of the OECS marked the occasion by highlighting the number of achievements as well as the institution of the Economic Union for the past three decades.

The OECS member states comprises of Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, St Kitts-Nevis, Montserrat, Anguilla and the British Virgin Islands.

This group has collaborated on the following initiatives to date:

• a collective plan of action to develop the agricultural sector.
• training in information and communications technology for persons associated with the agriculture sector, with particular reference to the collection and management of critical data and related information. 
• increased efforts towards enhancing agriculture food and health safety systems in member states.
• advancement on the implementation of an agreed OECS Common Tourism Policy.

To read more: OECS celebrates 32 years

Caribbean Looks at Financial Approach to Combat Climate Change

The Caribbean is " the most vulnerable region in the world to natural hazards" and natural hazards "have been increasing in intensity and adversely impacting the region's economic growth," according to Warren Smith, president of the Barbados-based Caribbean Development Bank (CDB). A recent  International Monetary Fund (IMF) report states that the annual economic cost of damage due to natural hazards is one percent of gross domestic product (GDP).

Furthermore, Smith declared that "growth prospects for our most vulnerable countries will be enhanced if resources for climate resilience can be front-loaded as part of a more comprehensive adjustment package... Climate adaptation interventions should be fast-tracked and targeted at the most vulnerable economic sectors, primarily tourism and agriculture."

The CDB along with the European Investment Bank are developing projects with a funding amount of less than 65 million dollars under the Climate Action Line of Credit (CALC). This credit line finances low cost projects that builds resilience against climate change, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions, land degradation and dwindling water supplies.

To read more on this topic: Caribbean Looks at Financial Approach to Combat Climate Change

Cuban President Raul Castro Meets with Prime Minister of Saint Lucia

Cuban President Raul Castro and the Honorable Dr. Kenny Davis Anthony, Prime Minister of St. Lucia held meetings in Havana to discuss the state of diplomatic cooperation links, and the issues of bilateral and international interest.

In addition to the President and Prime Minister, the following members were also present:

1. The Honorable Moses Ju Baptiste, Minister of Agriculture, Food Production, Fisheries and Rural Development of Saint Lucia;
2. Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermúdez, First Vice President of the Councils of State and Ministers of Cuba;
3. Marcelino Medina, Cuba's Acting Foreign Minister.

To read more on this subject, please click the link provided: Cuban President Raul Castro Meets with Prime Minister of Saint Lucia