ST.GEORGE’S, GRENADA, MARCH 10, 2009_ Prime Minister Hon. Tillman Thomas and Heads of Government from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) will focus on possible mitigating factors to deal with the effects of the global economic and financial crisis on the region when they meet in Belize City, Belize on Thursday and Friday (12-13 March). Prime Minister Thomas leaves Grenada on Wednesday morning for the Twentieth Inter-Sessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government which will discuss some of the actions that have already been taken and possible further action to help the region cope with the effects of the crisis. Grenada has consistently stated its willingness to be part of a regional response to the global economic and financial downturn, which has been under discussion by member states of both the Caribbean Community and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) since last November. The two-day Inter-Sessional meeting will also consider the implementation of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) signed with the European Union (EU) and the status of negotiations for a trade and development agreement between CARICOM and Canada. Other issues relating to the conduct of external trade negotiations that the Heads will deliberate on include the consideration of the governance of the Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery (CRNM) The CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), Sustainable Development, Justice and Governance, Crime and Security, Agriculture, and Preparations for the Fifth Summit of the Americas scheduled for 17-19 April in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, are among the packed agenda of the Inter-Sessional Meeting. Prime Minister Thomas will be accompanied by Mr. Oliver Joseph, Permanent Secretary with responsibility for Trade in the Ministry of Finance and Ms Cyrilla Steele, Foreign Service Officer in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Minister for Finance, Planning, Economic Development, Energy and Foreign Trade, Hon. Nazim Burke will be appointed acting Prime Minister. INSIDE GRENADA NEWS