Antigua to Offer Hospitality Scholarships to Haitian Students

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Education

Saturday, 07 July 2012 02:30

By caribarena news

Antigua St. John’s – Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer reaffirmed his country’s continuing support to the Haitian reconstruction effort during the 33rd Regular meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) which opened Wednesday in St. Lucia.

Talks between Spencer and Haitian President Michel Martelly identified specific areas in which Antigua and Barbuda can aid the French-speaking CARICOM-member nation in the aftermath of the devastating 2010 earthquake.

“We are offering a number of scholarships to Haitian students pursuing courses in hospitality education commencing September 2012 to 2014.

The ABHTI (Antigua and Barbuda Hospitality Training Institute) and the Ministry of Tourism in Haiti will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to give effect to the scholarship programme which is similar to that offered to the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States since the passage of hurricane Ivan,” Prime Minister Spencer said.

“We also want to explore trade and development initiatives which could lead to the sharing of expertise on matters such as the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), the participation of Antiguan and Barbudan carpenters, masons, electricians, plumbers and contractors in large infrastructural development projects in Port-au-Prince and the training of Haitian workers. To that end, a small delegation from Antigua and Barbuda will visit Haiti shortly for further discussions.”

President Martelly acknowledged the continuing challenges in his country and welcomed the unwavering support of Antigua and Barbuda to Haiti’s reconstruction process.

He considered the dialogue as a positive example of CARICOM partnership and regional integration and expressed a desire to further engage Antigua and Barbuda in several other areas including, but not limited to tourism, a priority sector for Haiti, and culture. The rationale is that Antigua and Barbuda could share tourism experts while Haitian art and craft professionals; the staging of a major artisan fair and a Caribbean multicultural music festival in St. John’s possibly in early December 2012.

“These should form the basis of an overarching MOU between the two countries. This would show to the rest of CARICOM what is possible particularly at this time”, President Martelly said.



The meeting with Spencer and Martelly followed an Opening Ceremony and consideration of matters related to the establishment of economic joint ventures by Suriname; external trade as reported from the 23rd Meeting of the Prime Ministerial Sub-Committee on external negotiations; and the exchange of views with Secretary General of the Organisation of American States, His Excellency Jose’ Miguel Insulza, and Secretary General of the African, Caribbean and Pacific group, His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Chambas.



The CARICOM leaders on Thursday met in caucus to break the back of the 17-point agenda followed by discussions in Plenary on Friday, the last day of the Conference.

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