(CARICOM Secretariat, Georgetown) AS efforts continue to target regional stakeholder groups to ensure full participation in the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), the CARICOM Secretariat will tomorrow host a regional conference on the readiness of rural communities to participate in the CSME.

The conference, funded under the 9th European Development Fund (EDF), Caribbean Integration Support Programme (CISP), begins at 8:30hrs at the Pegasus Hotel in Georgetown.

It will review the findings of a study on the prevailing conditions in rural communities as it relates to produce for sale, infrastructure and constraints. The regional meeting will also discuss and generate concrete recommendations and proposals for messages aimed at rural communities to stimulate their participation in the CSME.

The consultants recently completed the research and prepared a draft report and strategy. At the completion of the consultation, the key messages and strategies for their dissemination will be agreed upon.

The meeting forms part of the CARICOM Secretariat’s public education programme.