Basseterre, St. Kitts, May 2, 2012 (SKNIS): The Ministry of Trade, Industry, Commerce and Consumer Affairs sought to heighten cultural and other cooperation between St. Kitts and Nevis and the rest of the world in a national consultation held here recently.

The April 24 consultation held at the St. Kitts Marriott evidenced collaboration between the Organization of the Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Secretariat, the CARICOM Office of Trade Negotiations (OTN) and the Ministry of Trade. It facilitated discussion on Cultural Cooperation, Trade and Innovation in the context of the ongoing CARICOM – Canada Trade and Development Agreement.

Organizers hoped the consultation would provide a platform for public and private sector stakeholders to make contributions to a draft CARICOM – Canada proposal that would establish a connection between Trade, Innovation and Investment in the ongoing CARICOM – Canada Trade and Development Negotiations. It also hoped to develop a proposal for Cultural Cooperation between St. Kitts-Nevis, the wider CARICOM and Canada.

In addition, the gathering hoped to contribute to the formulation of a joint OECS position regarding the negotiations, increase public and private sector awareness about the CARICOM – Canada Trade and Development Agreement and assist in identifying technical and capacity building needs for St. Kitts and Nevis.