By Clint Chan Tack Thursday, October 29 2009

TRINIDAD and Tobago is benefitting economically and diplomatically by being a member of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS) and allowing the ACS to establish its headquarters locally.

Foreign Affairs Minister Paula Gopee-Scoon made these points in response to a question from Independent Senator Gail Merhair in the Senate on Tuesday.

Gopee-Scoon recalled that the ACS was formed by convention in Cartagena in Colombia in July, 1994 with the aim of expanding the regional integration movement by closing the gap between Caricom countries and Latin America. The minister said in this regard, the ACS complements the work of several existing bodies such as the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (UN ECLAC).

“A major benefit of the ACS is a zone of cooperation that brings TT into closer relations with countries outside the traditional Caribbean Community; it strengthens ties with Latin America, and opens new opportunities for bilateral relationships,” she said. Gopee Scoon added that this cooperation was illustrated by the embassies of countries such as Costa Rica, Cuba, El Salvador, Guatemala, Panama and Suriname which have been established in TT since 1994. The minister said TT’s membership in the ACS has also enhanced its trading relations with countries in Latin America by identifying value-added activities which complement existing trade liberalisation processes.

She said local business persons seek out new trade opportunities through the annual ACS Greater Caribbean Business Forum, and the presence of the ACS Secretariat in Port-of-Spain was part of the reason why Panama’s Copa Airlines started flights to Trinidad and Tobago. Gopee-Scoon explained that apart from greater trade opportunities provided by Copa’s flights, the airline allows citizens easy access to various destinations in Latin America from its hub in Panama.

She also highlighted the establishment of the Caribbean Sea Commission as another tangible benefit arising from TT’s membership in the ACS.