(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) As the Caribbean heightens preparations for the Region’s hosting of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Cricket World Cup (CWC) 2007, the Caribbean Community’s (CARICOM) Ministers of Transportation will meet in Georgetown, Guyana on Wednesday 15 November.

The Ministers will convene as the Eighteenth Special Meeting of the CARICOM Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED).

The Special COTED is expected to discuss, among other issues, the Community’s visa policy for persons traveling to and within the Region from specific non-CARICOM Member States; management of the flow of passengers at ports; and special arrangements for handling teams, officials, media sponsors, and VIPs.

A regional security plan incorporating the movement of resource teams, port health and medivac facilities, is also expected to come up for discussion at the Special COTED. In addition, officials are expected to discuss a security plan aimed at safeguarding the waterways, floating hotels and cruise ships and yachts likely to occupy the Region’s maritime space for the matches.

Importantly, the Special COTED is also expected to zero in on air navigation issues in relation to the deployment of search and rescue missions, flight and ground operations, as well as a comprehensive security plan for the Region during the tournament.

The Eighteenth Special Meeting of COTED officials will precede the 22nd Regular Meeting of the COTED which opens on Thursday 16 November also in Georgetown.