The Community Council of Ministers, the second highest decision-making body of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), will this week address a range of issues critical to the upcoming deliberations of the CARICOM Heads of Government Summit scheduled for the Bahamas from 3 - 6 July, 2001.

The status of implementation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) as well as the establishment of two committees to take the implementation process forward are top agenda items for the Eight Meeting of the Council slated for Thursday, 14 June, 2001 in Kingston, Jamaica.

The establishment of the Prime Ministerial Sub-Committee and Technical Advisory Committee of the CSME are part of the regulatory arrangements being put in place to facilitate the Region's single market and economy. As part of these arrangements, Barbados has been assigned lead responsibility for the CSME in the Community's quasi cabinet of Heads of Government.

The Council, which has as its prime responsibility the preparation of the agenda for the Heads regular Summit, will, in addition to receiving reports from other Organs of the Community, be updated on the national consultations for the Forward Together Encounter with civil society planned for November in Barbados. The Council is also expected to give consideration to a human resource development strategy for the Community.

Other matters for consideration by the Council include the establishment of a CARICOM office in Haiti, the functioning of the Bureau of the Community Council, initiatives aimed at the development of regional information/communication services and technologies, and a proposal for a special meeting on air transport.