Antigua and Barbuda represented at CARICOM - Germany High Level Meeting in Germany
The Honorable Asot Michael, Minister of Tourism, Economic Development, Investment and Energy was among senior ministers and other officials from the CARICOM region taking part in a series of high level meetings between CARICOM countries and the Government of Germany in Berlin and Hamburg, Germany on March 2 - 3, 2015.
The meeting, which followed on an invitation from the Government of Germany, discussed a range of issues including concessionary development financing for Caribbean countries, energy security and renewable energy, information and communication technologies, regional geopolitical developments, CARICOM relations with Germany, and climate change. A series of meetings were also held with senior German parliamentarians in Berlin and Hamburg.
In his presentation to the the two day meeting, Minister Michael welcomed the initiative by the government of Germany and highlighted his governments intention to promote Antigua and Barbuda as a centre for renewable energy within the eastern Caribbean in its attempts to reduce the cost of energy to consumers and to spur economic growth in Antigua and Barbuda.
In addition to government representatives, the CARICOM officials met with representatives from the German private sector in Berlin and Hamburg interested in in investing in renewable energy projects in the Caribbean. Caribbean officials also visited a leading university in Hamburg to discuss possibilities for enhanced tertiary level training for the region and for cooperation between CARICOM and German universities. Discussions were also held with the President of the EU-LAC Foundation, a private sector organization based in Hamburg promoting commercial and cultural linkages between the European Union and Latin America and the Caribbean.
Minister Michael was accompanied on his visit by Ambassador Brian Challenger, Advisor to the Ministry of Energy.
