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OAS Assistant Secretary General Addresses Central American Foreign Ministers in El Salvador

The Assistant Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), Ambassador Albert Ramdin, has urged Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Central American Integration System (SICA) to persevere in their efforts to strengthen relations between Central America and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), in the face of common challenges to both regions.

The high ranking OAS official was invited by the Chair pro-tempore of SICA, to address Foreign Ministers of the Central American region on the state of SICA CARICOM relations, weeks ahead of the Third SICA-CARICOM Summit scheduled to take place on August 18-19 in El Salvador. Heads of Government and Foreign Affairs Ministers of both Central America and the Caribbean Community are expected to meet during that time to discuss opportunities for cooperation between the two regions.

According to Assistant Secretary General Ramdin, "On matters of security, trade and investment, natural disasters, climate change and other issues, the need for cooperation and coordination has been magnified. Common challenges have provided unique opportunities to strengthen relations and promote cooperation. The challenge is to move ahead with tangible ways to strengthen political, economic and cultural relations," said Ramdin.

The OAS diplomat believes that dialogue between high-level executives in both regions must be fostered if the two blocs are to enhance their political and economic relations, and capitalize on opportunities. Along those lines, the OAS Assistant Secretary General and the Chair pro-tempore of SICA, Foreign Minister Hugo Martinez, are organizing a gathering of CEO's and business executives from Central America and the Caribbean in the framework of SICA-CARICOM Summit scheduled to take place in August.

Central America and the Caribbean together constitute a block of 21 countries and a market of over 50 million consumers. Trade between both regions is modest, but shows an upward trend. According to figures from the SIECA, in 2009 exports by SICA countries to the Caribbean totaled approximately US$314 million and imports from the Caribbean amounted to approximately US$337 million dollars.

According to Assistant Secretary General Ramdin, "Both regions can do more to develop new business opportunities in sectors such as tourism, agribusiness, banking, energy and recycling, and maybe also explore the possibility of a Free Trade Agreement."

The gathering of CEOs and high-level executives in August will explore strategic partnerships, promote business development between Central America and the Caribbean and initiate a dialogue on the important role of connectivity, access and ports to facilitate trade, cultural and personal relations between the two regions.

For more information, please visit the OAS Website at www.oas.org.

Reference: E-778/11