Two of the Caribbean's leading conglomerates signaled their support for the Regional Negotiating Machinery with a significantly sizeable contribution, on the closing day of the 20^th Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community, in Trinidad and Tobago.

The financial support came from Ansa Mc Cal Group of Companies and Neal and Massay Holdings Ltd, whose Chairman and Director respectively, Mr Anthony Sabga and Asraph Ali, handed over the cheque to Prime Minister of Barbados, Owen Arthur.

In accepting the cheque on behalf of the RNM, Prime Minister Arthur welcomed the initiative taken by the companies, and further stressed that the Regional private sector has a role to play in the various areas of external negotiations being undertaken by the RNM. He added that the companies set an example for others in the Region to follow and he hoped that this would be soon.

The representatives of the Companies said they were pleased to be making the contribution and echoed the Prime Minister's call for other regional private sector companies to demonstrate their support for the RNM, and its role, in a tangible manner.

The presentation was made in the presence of the CARICOM Heads of Government and officials from the RNM, including Chief Negotiator, Sir Shridath Ramphal, and Secretary General of the Caribbean Community, Mr Edwin Carrington.

Chairman of CARICOM and Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Mr Basdeo Panday, also commended both companies for their contribution to the RNM.