PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Dissemination
Port-of-Spain,
April 10, 2021

REGIONAL PRIVATE SECTOR RESPONSE TO ST. VINCENT AND GRENADINES CRISIS

The CARICOM Private Sector Organization (CPSO) together with the Caribbean Manufacturers’ Association (CMA), representatives of the private sector throughout the Region, stand in solidarity with the Government and People of St. Vincent and the Grenadines as they endure this trying period. We are heartbroken by the devastation already being experienced and extend our heartfelt thoughts and prayers as the situation unfolds.
The CPSO, the “Apex” Institution for the Private Sector in CARICOM, and the most recently accredited Associate Institution of the Community, along with the newly established Caribbean Manufacturers’ Association held a joint emergency Meeting, Saturday 10th April 2021, aimed at collaborating as a unified voice in order to address and arrive at a coordinated response, following the unfortunate development in our neighbouring islands, St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
As we move assiduously to assist members of our Caribbean Family, the regional private sector has already begun responding, in a number of instances, and there are shipments already leaving Member States for St. Vincent and the Grenadines, which include substantial contributions from the Private Sector. Our efforts will continue, as we are cognizant that it will require sustained effort to assist St. Vincent and the Grenadines to recover.
The Private Sector also intends to develop a “Master List” which will allow us to track how we are each responding in our relief efforts, to better coordinate support. Collaboration will also take place with the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA). We seek to establish avenues for the rapid exchange of information between the CPSO, the CMA and CDEMA so that we as the regional private sector can more quickly respond to evolving needs as they arise. We also recognize the challenges caused by the relocation of segments of the population, and we intend to be responsive to this through CDEMA.
The regional Private Sector – CPSO, CMA, and our Members are joined together with St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and the Community in confronting this challenge.

-ENDS-

ABOUT THE CPSO

The CARICOM Private Sector Organization (CPSO) is the most recently accredited Associate Institution of the Caribbean Community. The CPSO is to act as the “Apex” Institution for the private sector in CARICOM, with a mandate to contribute to the full implementation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME). The Membership of the CPSO is comprised of private sector entities operating in the CARICOM space, including Micro Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (MSMEs).

ABOUT THE CMA

The Caribbean Manufacturers’ Association is an umbrella organization representing regional producers. The membership comprises associations within the manufacturing sectors of the Caribbean Community whose mission is to collaborate as a unified voice to address issues faced by manufacturers in the region and vision is to be the leading voice that advances and promotes the interest of Caribbean Manufacturers to achieve the objectives of the community.