The operation of the Caricom-Spain Joint Fund has been launched as the new mechanism to manage the Regional Cooperation Programme between Caricom and Spain.
The launching by the First Meeting of the Joint Technical Committee of Caricom-Kingdom of Spain Joint Fund took place at the Spanish Embassy in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago on August 14 and it also approved various projects for implementation within the region, said a press release from the Caricom Secretariat at Turkeyen.
Projects approved include support for the Operations and Management of the Fund as well as assistance to the Caricom Secretariat in improving its finance management systems as a part of its ongoing reform. Another project aims to facilitate the development of Caricom exports under Existing Bilateral Trade Agreements with the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Venezuela, Colombia and Cuba, the release stated.
The Committee also explored other areas of potential bilateral cooperation in the context of the promotion of regional integration in the Caribbean.
Meanwhile, both parties agreed with a proposal from Spain that new initiatives (such as organ transplant and donation) would be developed for the health sector. There were also discussions about the possibility of developing initiatives in the areas of renewable energy and sports.
The Spanish team at the meeting was led by Joaquin de Arístegui Laborde, the Ambassador of Spain to Trinidad and Tobago who is also accredited to Caricom. The Ambassador’s team also included Lidia Blanco, General Coordinator, Spanish Agency for International Cooperation (AECID) Venezuela. The Caricom team was led by Percival Marie, Executive Director, Resource Mobilisation and Technical Assistance at the Caricom Secretariat.
The next meeting of the Joint Technical Committee is scheduled for February 2013 and will consider and agree on the Annual Work Programme of Activities and financing for future Caricom Regional Projects, the release added.
