ACTION PLAN FOR CO-OPERATION AMONG THE CARIBBEAN

The Heads of Government of the Member States of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) comprising Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, the Vice-President of Suriname, and the Presidents of the Countries of the Group of Three, comprising Colombia, Mexico and Venezuela, assembled in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago on 12-13 October 1993:

Taking into account that the Group of Three was established as a mechanism for the promotion of integration among its members and for the strengthening of reciprocal co-operation with the countries of the Caribbean and Central America;

Acknowledging the progress made in the process of Caribbean Integration within the framework of the Caribbean Community and Common Market;

Wishing to strengthen the bonds of friendship and co-operation that have united the Caribbean nations with those of the Group of Three;

Bearing in mind the coincidence of interests among the Caribbean Community, Suriname and the Group of Three;

Convinced that social and economic development, in particular, the struggle against poverty, are key elements for peace, stability, the strengthening of democratic institutions and the attainment of better living standards for their peoples;

Taking into account the importance of expanding co-operation among them, through the execution of joint activities, without prejudice to bilateral initiatives;

Expressing their firm desire to consolidate co-operation through the execution of specific regional projects which accord with the priorities of the CARICOM integration process;

Recognising the crucial importance of locating such co-operation within the perspective and the future institutional framework of the proposed Association of Caribbean States;

Have Agreed on the following Action Plan for Co-operation Among the Caribbean Community, Suriname and the Group of Three with the following objectives:

To strengthen the economic base from which to develop and expand social, cultural and economic relations among their countries in addition to the programmes being developed and implemented at the bilateral level
To increase trade and investment flows and to foster the competitiveness of the productive sectors, thus contributing to the well-being of their peoples and the enhancement of links among the private sectors of CARICOM, Suriname and the Group of Three
To develop regional programmes and projects which help to raise the standard of living of their peoples, and at the same time to strengthen co-operation in trade, communications, transport, tourism, the environment and energy, among others

On the basis of these objectives, they shall commence co-operative activities in the following priority areas:

Business Opportunities

Conscious that the changes occurring in the global environment and the ongoing integration of Latin America and the Caribbean into the international trade arena demand the Region adopt new approaches to securing business and trade opportunities, they agree:

to create a favourable environment for the promotion of trade and cross-border investment among CARICOM, Suriname and the Group of Three
to examine alternatives with respect to the competitive sourcing of raw materials, intermediate and finished products in each other's countries and to joint production and marketing, particularly with a view to servicing the large markets of Europe, including Eastern Europe, North America and East Asia
to continue trade negotiations with a view to concluding an agreement that will promote increased commercial exchanges and, consequently, increased interaction among the private sectors of their respective countries
to conduct in-depth market surveys in order to identify investment and marketing opportunities
the exchange, on a regular basis, of trade data and economic data among the CARICOM Secretariat, Suriname and the pro-tempore Secretariat of the Group of Three as well as among the relevant trade institutions of their countries. To this end, they agree to explore the feasibility of establishing computerised trade data links for the transmission of trade data;to foster the creation of links between the nascent CARICOM regional capital market and the capital market of the Group of Three countries
- to involve the private sector in co-operation activities, whenever possible, and to promote business opportunity encounters among the Group of Three, CARICOM and Suriname

Small Enterprise Development

Recognising that the private sector, in particular small enterprises, plays a central role in economic transformation and generation of employment, they agree:

to identify joint programmes for on-the-job training for small enterprises
to explore opportunities for the exchange of experiences in the areas of small enterprise development and related public sector policies

Tourism

Recognising that tourism plays a vital role in the development of their countries and facilitates increased co-operation and collaboration among tourism agencies and training institutions, and recognising also that most of their countries participate in the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) and the Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA), they agree:

to provide mutual support in product development, joint marketing and training of tourism personnel. With respect to this last activity, account will be taken of the existence of the hotel school in The Bahamas and of similar institutions in the Group of Three countries

Transport

Recognising the importance of cross-border activities with respect to the movement of goods, services and people; taking into account that these activities will depend on the efficiency and effectiveness of the transport systems among their countries; and bearing in mind the ongoing study on air and shipping links between CARICOM and the Group of Three, they agree:

to promote dialogue among representatives of the transport sector, both public and private, to discuss the results of the study and to develop future activities for the improvement of transport, with a view to the establishment of direct and regular transportation links among their countries

Hemispheric Trade

Recognising the several ongoing initiatives aimed at strengthening the development of hemispheric trade and investment, they agree:

to intensify their efforts to facilitate trade and investment flows
to give immediate attention to the framework that might most effectively support their objective of a significant increase in trade
to issue a Declaration on Trade and Investment

Co-ordination : Multilateral Financial Institutions

They agree:

to promote co-ordinated efforts, within the multilateral organisations dealing with financial and technical co-operation, in order to ensure that those institutions provide additional resources to the countries of CARICOM and Suriname
to support the debt strategy for Latin America and the Caribbean adopted by the Latin American Economic System (SELA)
to provide technical assistance to the CARICOM countries and Suriname, on the basis of the experience of the Group of Three countries, in debt rescheduling and structural adjustment programmes

Agricultural Diversification

Considering that agriculture plays a central role in the growth and development of their economies, they agree:

to co-operate in the design of agricultural development programmes, especially those aimed at diversifying production, the promotion of food security and reduction of vulnerability in the face of increasingly restricted markets for traditional agricultural exports
to focus on the identification and development of products of current and future export interest
to formulate macro-economic policies leading to an effective diversification process which minimises dislocations
to promote dialogue on agrarian policy among agricultural planners at appropriate periods to be agreed upon, as a useful means of exchanging experiences and for the development of technological packages and information kits for selected agricultural products

Environment and Sustainable Development

Recognising that the Caribbean Sea is the main link among the countries, and reaffirming their interest in preserving this common patrimony, it is agreed:

to develop co-operation programmes to monitor and exchange information and protect the Caribbean Sea
to actively participate in the United Nations Conference for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States in Barbados in 1994 and in the follow-up activities to that conference as they relate to the Caribbean
to develop joint policies regarding the passage of hazardous materials and wastes through the Caribbean Sea, as well as co-operation arrangements to deal with possible accidents such as oil spills
to promote jointly the sharing of research, experiences and technologies in respect of -
- strengthening of disaster prevention, preparedness and mitigation programmes
- the sustainable development of tourism and increasing competitiveness in eco-tourism
- the joint development of programmes for coastal zone management, utilising existing institutions
- industrial waste management
to conduct joint activities through those institutions, located in their respective countries, which conduct work in the foregoing areas
to develop, with the assistance of the offices of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in Kingston and Mexico City, projects aimed at reducing coastal degradation in the Caribbean Sea
to collaborate in respect of disaster relief within the Region

Illicit Traffic in Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, and Related Crimes

Recognising that the traffic in and use of illicit drugs have reached alarming proportions and have become a general security concern in the Region, they agree:

to strengthen existing levels of co-operation towards the elimination of illicit drug trafficking
to exchange information on the cross-border movements of persons, aircraft and vessels suspected of trafficking in illicit drugs with a view to facilitating early interdiction and seizure
to collaborate in the training of personnel from agencies involved in education and rehabilitation activities
to develop regional projects aimed at early detection and prevention, demand reduction, treatment and rehabilitation

Scientific and Technological Co-operation

Recognising the significant contribution that co-operation in the field of science and technology can make to the development of their individual economies as well as to the viability of efforts for a co-ordinated approach to production and marketing of goods and services, they agree:

to strengthen co-operation among their research and development institutions
to exchange information on the results of research
to facilitate training in respect of issues important for the efficient use of energy, and the development of indigenous energy sources in the Region

The Bolivar Programme, in which the Group of Three countries fully participate, facilitates the assessment, financing and commercialisation of projects emanating from scientific and technological innovations. The benefits to be derived from the Bolivar Programme are currently being examined by CARICOM countries and Suriname with a view to their eventual participation in its activities.

Culture

Recognising their cultural diversity as well as their shared cultural heritage which have been amply demonstrated on various occasions, they agree:

to encourage the creation of opportunities and mechanisms for expanding and strengthening cultural contact at all levels
to promote the fullest participation possible in the 1995 Carifesta in Trinidad and Tobago and in future Carifestas
to examine possibilities for exchanges among leading regional communication training institutes

With respect to the Latin American and the Caribbean Centre being established by the University of the West Indies (UWI) at its Campus in Jamaica in order to promote increased interaction between Latin America and the Caribbean, they agree:

to support the Latin American and Caribbean Centre of the University of the West Indies in Jamaica
to facilitate exchanges among Universities, to strengthen and enrich teaching and research programmes
to provide training in interpreting and translation

Social Development and Social Policy

They agree:

to exchange experiences and to implement joint programmes to foster social development and poverty alleviation within the context of the economic realities of the 1990s
to co-operate in the area of health as well as other areas of social development

Human Resource Development

Human resource development is the most critical factor in the development of CARICOM countries, Suriname and the Group of Three. Population growth, economic restructuring and current levels of unemployment make human resource development a key element in the development of government policy and programmes. Given financial resource constraints and the diverse experiences of their countries, joint actions will greatly enhance development in areas such as:

Training which has been ongoing at the bilateral level. They will jointly develop and promote programmes for training in English and Spanish targeted at public servants and the business community, among others;
Scientific and Technological Education and Training
Technical and Vocational Education and Training
Manpower Planning
Management and Entrepreneurial Development
Production and Publishing of Education Materials

FOLLOW-UP ACTIVITIES

The responsibility for monitoring, co-ordinating and following up implementation of this Agreement will lie with a Commission comprising the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the respective countries
The pro-tempore Secretariat of the Group of Three and the CARICOM Secretariat will provide administrative support. The first Meeting of the Commission will take place in May 1994 to review developments since the 1993 Port-of-Spain Summit and give impetus and direction to future activities
The Secretariats will receive and transmit requests for assistance and co-operation activities and process them for consideration by the participating States. The Secretariats will work in collaboration with the countries and advise on modalities for
- projects to be developed on an annual basis
- funding assistance for joint development projects where this is needed
- the framework for the execution of projects including the fielding of experts
The Commission comprising the Ministers of Foreign Affairs will create the necessary mechanisms to facilitate the free flow of experts, equipment and material as may be needed for executing the co-operation activities referred to in this Action Plan
They will also seek the support of such relevant Organisations as SELA, the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), the Andean Development Corporation (CAF) and the Organisation of American States (OAS), where appropriate, in the implementation of the Action Plan
By mutual agreement, the countries will have the authority to add other areas of co-operation as may be deemed necessary and pertinent

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned representatives of the Caribbean Community, Suriname and the Countries of the Group of Three have signed this Action Plan in English and Spanish, both texts being equally authentic.

SIGNED BY.......................................................ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT OF ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA
AT PORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO,
THIS THIRTEENTH DAY OF OCTOBER NINETEEN HUNDRED AND NINETY-THREE.

SIGNED BY.......................................................ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF THE BAHAMAS AT PORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO,
THIS THIRTEENTH DAY OF OCTOBER NINETEEN HUNDRED AND NINETY-THREE

SIGNED BY.......................................................ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT OF BARBADOS
AT PORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO,
THIS THIRTEENTH DAY OF OCTOBER NINETEEN HUNDRED AND NINETY-THREE

SIGNED BY.......................................................ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT OF BELIZE
AT PORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO,
THIS THIRTEENTH DAY OF OCTOBER NINETEEN HUNDRED AND NINETY-THREE

SIGNED BY.......................................................ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE COOPERATIVE REPUBLIC OF GUYANA
AT PORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO,
THIS THIRTEENTH DAY OF OCTOBER NINETEEN HUNDRED AND NINETY-THREE

SIGNED BY.......................................................ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT OF JAMAICA
AT PORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO,
THIS THIRTEENTH DAY OF OCTOBER NINETEEN HUNDRED AND NINETY-THREE

SIGNED BY.......................................................ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT OF ST. KITTS AND NEVIS
AT PORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO,
THIS THIRTEENTH DAY OF OCTOBER NINETEEN HUNDRED AND NINETY-THREE

SIGNED BY.......................................................ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT OF SAINT LUCIA
AT PORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO,
THIS THIRTEENTH DAY OF OCTOBER NINETEEN HUNDRED AND NINETY-THREE

SIGNED BY.......................................................ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT OF ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES
AT PORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO,
THIS THIRTEENTH DAY OF OCTOBER NINETEEN HUNDRED AND NINETY-THREE

SIGNED BY.......................................................ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
AT PORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO,
THIS THIRTEENTH DAY OF OCTOBER NINETEEN HUNDRED AND NINETY-THREE

SIGNED BY.......................................................ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF COLOMBIA
AT PORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO,
THIS THIRTEENTH DAY OF OCTOBER NINETEEN HUNDRED AND NINETY-THREE

SIGNED BY.......................................................ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF MEXICO
AT PORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO,
THIS THIRTEENTH DAY OF OCTOBER NINETEEN HUNDRED AND NINETY-THREE

SIGNED BY.......................................................ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF VENEZUELA
AT PORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO,
THIS THIRTEENTH DAY OF OCTOBER NINETEEN HUNDRED AND NINETY-THREE

SIGNED BY.......................................................ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SURINAME
AT PORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO,
THIS THIRTEENTH DAY OF OCTOBER NINETEEN HUNDRED AND NINETY-THREE