Another step towards an EU-style economic union is expected at this year's OECS summit being held in Grenada starting today. It's been on the drawing board for several years in one form or another but now the leaders of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States appear committed to take it further. If it's realised an economic union will be a major step forward for the sub-regional grouping which was established in 1981 to promote 'functional cooperation' among its member states. OECS officials also say if they succeed in setting up the economic union it could be a forerunner for a similar undertaking for the wider Caribbean Community grouping, Caricom, which also includes OECS states. The OECS is a nine-member grouping comprising Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia and St Vincent and the Grenadines. Anguilla and the British Virgin Islands are associate members. At this year's summit in Grenada the leaders of the nine full members and two associate members of the sub regional grouping are will review ongoing work for the creation of the economic union - that includes a draft treaty. They are also looking at revising the remit of their overseas diplomatic representation to focus more on economic matters, common positions in international affairs and attracting investors. An assessment of the recently-ended Cricket World Cup, the Petro-Caribe deal with Venezuela and global trade negotiations are also on the agenda for the two day meeting which ends on Friday. The summit will be chaired by Dominica's Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, who takes over the rotating role for the next year from Antigua's Baldwin Spencer. Reprinted from bbccaribbean.com