Trinidad and Tobago's Minister of Trade and Tourism, the Hon Mervyn Assam will deliver the feature address at the opening of the CARICOM Secretariat Southern African Trade and Investment Seminar at the Trinidad Hilton on Thursday November 20.

The seminar is part of the preparation for a CARICOM Trade and Investment Mission to Southern Africa, which is expected to take place next January. The Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community agreed that CARICOM should mount a mission to South Africa to explore opportunities in the areas of Trade, and Economic and Financial services.

The one-day seminar is being organised by the Secretariat in conjunction with Kairi Consultants Ltd and with assistance from the Caribbean Association of Industry and Commerce (CAIC). Secretary General of CARICOM, Mr Edwin Carrington and the President of CAIC Mr Audley Walker will also address participants who will be drawn from both the private and public sectors throughout the Community.

A consulting firm based in South Africa, Dimpex Incorporated will make a presentation on the business environment and opportunities in that Region. Kairi Consultants Ltd and EHS Financial Services of Trinidad and Tobago will also present a socio-economic profile of the Southern African Region and assist Dimpex in their presentations. Kairi has offices in South Africa.

Among the facilitators at the Seminar will be Dr Ralph Henry, Dr Anthony Gonzales, Dr Theo Ferguson and Mr E Henry Sealy. The proceedings begin at 8.30 a.m.