Youth from 18 Caricom countries on Sunday participated in a symbolic tree-planting exercise in Haiti as part of a four-day Caribbean Youth Exchange Programme.
In a press release the Caricom Secretariat said the Programme was funded by the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation for Development with support from the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Civic Action in Haiti. The exercise started on Thursday.
About 57 trees were planted at the Sports Development Centre at Croix de Bouquet, on what is now named the CARICOM Pathway, as a symbol of solidarity with Haiti. Of the 57 trees planted, 20 represented the 15 member states and five the associate members which comprise the Caribbean Community while one represented Caricom.
Caricom Assistant Secretary-General Dr Edward Greene said that the exercise was an indication of the spirit and goodwill of the rest of the Community towards Haiti. “As the trees begin to blossom and flower, so too should the spirit of hope blossom for Haiti, as the country prepares to participate in the CARICOM Single Market and Economy, (CSME),” he said.
As a precursory step towards full participation in the CSME, Haiti is expected to trade in goods with other member states by January 1.
