NEWS RELEASE

CKLN Key to Regional Integration and Functional Cooperation

Monday July 2^nd 2007, St. George’s: The CKLN proposed development of a Regional Network called C@ribNET, aimed at connecting all CARICOM countries with a high capacity fibre optic network has been endorsed by Regional Heads of Government as a key component in the Regional Integration and functional cooperation process. This endorsement says Prime Minister Dr. the Rt. Hon. Keith Mitchell, is one of the greatest achievements in the process of implementing the CKLN programme. Prime Minister Mitchell who is leading the CKLN project said ‘the value of the CKLN is enormous. Everyday we are realising more and more how this magnificent programme will revolutionise and improve the lives of our Caribbean people.’

The discussions which took place today at the Heads of Government Conference in Barbados, discussed the advantages of the CKLN to regional integration and functional cooperation among member states.

The CKLN promises to provide a platform that would eliminate the obstacles of distance geography and lack of knowledge. The CKLN also promised to create a vehicle which would allow citizens, communities, businesses and officials to form partnerships which would lead to greater cooperation and the creation of more opportunities.

The Heads agreed that without this level of cooperation which the CKLN would enable, the integration process could be stunted. They agreed that Caribbean countries need to be able to have continuous conversations amongst themselves on critical issues. They also agreed that the CKLN could play a major part in creating economies of scale which would make the region more competitive on the global stage.

The CKLN team led by Prime Minister Mitchell also presented several tangible and practical applications of C@ribNet. These applications include:-

a. Students in any one CARICOM country will be able to receive lectures from any Tertiary institutions or University in real-time as though they are in the classroom where the lecture is being given

b. Public and private seminars, workshops, plenary sessions of CARICOM Heads meeting will be view in any Caribbean country as though the meetings are being held in that country

c. CARICOM Heads can be engaged in a meeting amongst themselves or collectively with Heads of other nation states outside the Region without leaving their respective countries.

d. Technical officials of all CARICOM Ministerial organisations and institutions can work together in the preparation of papers and documents; develop proposals for their respective Ministers without leaving their respective countries.

e. Members of the Regional Negotiating Machinery (RNM) can engage in conversations and meetings and negotiations amongst themselves and with external organisations without leaving their respective countries

f. Any major social or cultural event occurring in any one Member State can be viewed by citizens in all other member states as if they were on location.

g. Medical practitioners from different Member States can work together on a medical case or operation in any one country as though they were in one country.

h. Individuals and citizens from different member states can work together, form alliances and create business opportunities using skills and competencies from any member state in real-time as though they were in the same physical space

In addition to the Prime Mister’s personal leadership, the Grenadian government has provided material support in establishing the CKLN’s Head quarters in St. Georges, Grenada.