(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) CARICOM Secretary-General, His Excellency Edwin W. Carrington told the inaugural meeting of Heads of CARICOM Institutions in Georgetown today that the need for a collaborative approach between all Community institutions has become more pressing with the launch of the CARICOM Single Market and the goal of establishing the framework for the Single Economy by 2008.

He added that the efficient functioning of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) in the dynamic global environment would require a more effective harnessing of the Institutions and Agencies of the Community.

"The major objective of this first encounter of the Community’s Institutions therefore must be a frank exchange of views on the broad vision for the Community and on the contribution that its Institutions could make towards achieving that vision,” the Secretary-General said.

The two-day meeting will examine issues of more efficient financing of Community institutions, and respective Work Programmes with a view to developing synergies, pursuing common goals and avoiding duplication.

The Secretary-General expressed the hope that the “landmark event” would become a “biennial event and a forum for continuous dialogue and consequent concerted action.”