(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) Chairman of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), His Excellency Desiré Delano Bouterse, President of the Republic of Suriname will lead members of the Bureau of Heads of Government on a two-day mission to Haiti on 13-14 February.

The other members of the Bureau are the immediate past Chairman, The Right Honourable Dr Denzil Douglas, Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis, the incoming Chairman Dr the Honourable Kenny Anthony, Prime Minister of Saint Lucia and the Secretary-General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque. Accompanying the Bureau will be the Special Representative of Heads of Government to Haiti, Most Honourable. P.J. Patterson OCC.

The delegation will meet with President of Haiti, His Excellency Michel Martelly on the first day of the visit and on the final day will meet with the Prime Minister the Honourable Garry Conille and members of the Haitian Cabinet. The team will also meet with Haitian Parliamentarians, the private sector, youth and the media.

The purpose of the visit is to engage with the Government of Haiti with respect to its priorities which would assist in determining the nature of assistance required of the Community to that Member State. The visit will also serve to emphasise continued support for the country in its reconstruction and development efforts following the 2010 earthquake and explore ways for strengthening Haiti’s participation in CARICOM.