The Prime Minster Perry Christie
became the Chair of CARICOM, the Caribbean Community, on 1st January. The
Foreign Affairs Ministry congratulates the Prime Minister on this occasion as a
signal honour for The Bahamas.
The first official duty as the Chair
of CARICOM is to represent the region at the China/CELAC (Community of Latin
American and Caribbean countries) meetings in Beijing China on the 8th and 9th
of January.The Prime Minister will deliver a statement on behalf of
CARICOM and is scheduled tomeet with the President and Premier of China
for discussions on regional issues.
The visit will also provide an
opportunity to discuss bi-lateral relations with China including areas of
technical cooperation, maritime issues and a possible air services agreement.
The Prime Minister will also take
the opportunity to meet with private sector investors in the tourism area in
connection with the Bahamar project.Additionally, the nation's chief will
have discussions with the chairman of Genting/Resorts World Group.
Mr. Christie will be accompanied by
the Minister of Foreign Affairs Hon. Fred Mitchell, the Minister of Tourism
Hon. Obie Wilchcombe and the Minister of Transport and Aviation Hon. Glenys
Hanna Martin.
The ministerial delegation will be
supported by a team from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headed by Eugene
Torchon Newry and Senior Policy Advisor in the Office of the Prime Minister Sir
Baltron Bethel.
