(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) Defined by the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, the Agriculture Policy for the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) came into focus in several ways during the Caribbean Week of Agriculture (CWA) 2008.

Addressing the audience on Wednesday, 8 October in Kingstown, St. Vincent and the Grenadines at the official opening of CWA 2008, CARICOM Assistant Secretary-General for Trade and Economic Integration, Ambassador Irwin Larocque said CWA provided several avenues to profile the positives in Caribbean agriculture.

(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) In order to realise long-term growth from the agriculture sector, the Caribbean must add value to traditional crops such as sugar cane and bananas.

This view was stressed by the Minister of Agriculture of Jamaica, Hon. Dr. Christopher Tufton, when he addressed the official opening of the Caribbean Week of Agriculture in Kingstown, St. Vincent and the Grenadines on Wednesday 8 October.

(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) At a time when the spotlight on agriculture is shining brighter on a daily basis, a high level official of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat has emphasized that work on the Region's agriculture agenda was moving full speed ahead.

(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) By the second quarter of 2009 Caribbean Community (CARICOM) nationals should expect to have further hassle free movement at ports of entry within the Caribbean Region, as the CARICOM Travel Card (CARIPASS) will be implemented.

Dr. Weggoro, Director, Productive and Social Sector of the East African Community Secretariat, and Head of the East African Community delegation;
Representatives from Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda;
Colleagues, staff of the CARICOM Secretariat including those of the CSME Unit in Barbados who are participating via Video Conference;

I am honoured to have the opportunity to welcome you today to the CARICOM Secretariat.