Reports are that Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, will also be in Barbados to participate in the Conference with the aim of building stronger ties with the region.

The conference takes place from February 18-19.

CARICOM has indicated that the areas to be discussed include the CARICOM Single Market and Economy; the Report on the Commission on the Economy; Engagement with the private sector, labour and civil society; CARICOM Advocacy Against Blacklisting, De-Risking and Withdrawal of Correspondent Banking; Supporting CARICOM Resilience and Update on Matters of Importance for Science and Technology.

The leaders will also discuss their first CARICOM-African Union Summit to be held in June, as well as the 15th Meeting of the United Nations Conference for Trade and Development, which takes place in Barbados from October 18 to 25 this year.

The Premier is accompanied by Acting Director of International Affairs Secretariat, Ms. Najan Christopher and will return to the Territory on February 19.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon. Carvin Malone is Acting Premier until Wednesday, February 19.

Hon. Malone’s appointment is in accordance with Section 55 (1) of the Virgin Islands Constitution Order, 2007 which states, “If the Premier is expected to be absent from the Virgin Islands for more than forty-eight hours, the Governor shall authorise the Deputy Premier to perform the functions of the office of Premier; and the Governor shall revoke this authority on the return to the Virgin Islands of the Premier.”