Preparations for a Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Ministerial Mission to Southern Africa will take a step forward with the convening of a seminar on Thursday November 20, 1997 at the Trinidad Hilton Hotel.

The seminar, organised by the CARICOM Secretariat and Kairi Consultants Ltd, will provide information on opportunities in Southern Africa for Caribbean business. Participants will be drawn from the business community and Ministers of Trade of CARICOM Member States.

The Ministerial Mission, now scheduled for late January 1998, follows a decision of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community to strengthen ties with Southern Africa. At its XVIIth Meeting in Barbados in 1996, the Conference reiterated this intent to the Hon Derek A Hanekom, the Special Envoy of South African President His Excellency Nelson Mandela and in March 1997, a delegation from the Southern African Development Council (SADC) visited the Region. These events were preceded by a visit to Southern Africa by CARICOM Secretary-General, Mr Edwin Carrington.

The proposed Ministerial Mission will explore opportunities for trade, investment, tourism, cultural and other mutually beneficial exchanges between the two Regions. It is expected that members of the business community of CARICOM Member States will also participate in the Mission. Next month's seminar will include a briefing on the business environment in Southern Africa and its potential for Caribbean manufacturers and traders.

The facilitators of the seminar will be representatives of the CARICOM Secretariat along with Kairi Consultants including Dr Ralph Henry, Dr Anthony Gonzales, Mr E. Henry Sealy and Dr Theodore Ferguson. Representatives of a Southern African consulting firm, Dimpex Ltd, will also make a presentation at the Seminar.