(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) As the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) prepares to celebrate World Consumers’ Day on 15 March 2010, the Fourth Meeting of Consumers’ Affairs Officials will review a report on the needs of Caribbean Community (CARICOM) consumer organizations.

Consumers remain a critical stakeholder group which is expected to benefit from the implementation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME). In this regard the CARICOM Secretariat contracted consultant Mr. John Lawrence to examine Member States’ efforts and capacity to protect the interest of consumers, in light of their obligations under the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas.

The Meeting of Consumer Affairs Officials, scheduled for 9-10 March 2010 in Trinidad and Tobago, and will discuss the findings of the Consultant, which also took into account the impact of global changes on the economies and societies of Member States.

The consultancy included the development of an assessment methodology to ascertain the legal status, mandate, capacity of government and non-government consumer organizations, and other areas,. The activity was funded with assistance from the 9th European Development Fund (EDF), Caribbean Integration Support Programme (CISP).

The report of the study was submitted to the CARICOM Secretariat in February 2010.

CONTACT:salas@csmeunit.org