Regional statisticians got together for back-to-back meetings during the past week, November 11-15, 2002 in St. George’s, Grenada to discuss critical issues relating to data collection, compilation and dissemination, in support of national and regional priorities and objectives. The Meetings were convened by the Secretariat of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and hosted by the Government of Grenada.

The Caribbean Community is deeply disturbed to learn of a decision by Carnival Cruise Line to cease calling at Port St. George's, Grenada with virtually immediate effect.

Carnival is the largest cruise line calling at Grenadian ports, and accounts for approximately half of the cruise passengers to the country.

Such a cessation of its cruise activity will therefore create a most unwelcome situation for the government and people of Grenada, particularly those involved in the Tourist industry, including the small artisans and traders who depend heavily on cruise tourism.

Representatives from across the Region gather in Grenada on October 14 and 15 for the Second Sitting of the Assembly of Caribbean Community Parliamentarians (ACCP).

The CARICOM Single Market and Economy was significantly advanced as regional Attorneys-General and Ministers of Legal Affairs approved and commended for signature by the Conference of Heads of Government, three Protocols amending the Treaty establishing the Caribbean Community. The Instruments: Protocol IV - Trade Policy; Protocol VI - Transport Policy, and Protocol VII - Disadvantaged Countries, Regions and Sectors, are expected to be signed at the Twentieth Meeting of the Conference to be convened in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago in July 1999.

The Ninth Inter-Sessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) was held in St. George's, Grenada, from 2 to 3 March 1998.