Antigua-Barbuda PM wants Chile to stand up for OECS states

The prime minister of Antigua and Barbuda has called on Chile to advocate for the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States in relation to international financial structure reform.

Gaston Browne wants make the system more beneficial to small nations.

He raised the issue during a recent meeting in St Lucia, in which he highlighted structural challenges facing the region in reducing debt.

The meeting, which coincided with the visit of Chilean President Michelle Bachelet to St Lucia, included host Prime Minister Allen Chastanet.

The Dominica president, Charles Savarin, and OECS Director-General Didacus Jules were also in attendance.

Browne highlighted that a move from concessionary international financing based on GDP per capita income has negatively affected small economies and restricted their development prospects.

The meeting also looked at strengthening cooperation between Chile and the OECS member states in several areas.

These included responses to climate change and natural disasters, training in fisheries and stimulating trade ties.

Both sides also explored the prospects of establishing direct air links and introducing visa-free travel between Chile and OECS countries.

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