(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) Caribbean Community (CARICOM) officials are scheduled to participate in a seminar aimed at developing a Rapid Alert System for Dangerous Consumer Goods within the Region. The training seminar is scheduled for 1-2 November 2011 at the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) Unit of the CARICOM Secretariat which is based in Barbados. The event is being facilitated with the assistance of the 9th European Development Fund (EDF) Caribbean Integration Support Programme (CISP).

The feature address for the seminar is expected to be delivered by the Barbados Minister of Commerce and Trade, Senator Haynesley Benn. The training is part of a consultancy which focuses on the development of a comprehensive framework, including a computer based platform for the administration of a regional information exchange and response system. It is aimed at strengthening Member States’ market surveillance capabilities in the respect of non-food, non pharmaceuticals which pose a serious risk to consumers’ health and safety.

The seminar is targeting both users and administrators of the Rapid Alert System for Dangerous Consumer Goods and the trainers are experts from IBF International Consulting of Brussels. The Programme Manager of the CSME Unit Mr. Ivor Carryl and other CARICOM Secretariat staff are also down to address the opening ceremony.

CONTACT: salas@csmeunit.org