PM Browne wants Chile to back OECS

Prime Minister Gaston Browne has called on Chile to advocate on behalf of OECS member states for reform of the international financial structure to make it beneficial to small states.
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 accommodated Chilean President Michelle Bachelet who was on a tour of the Caribbean, also included host Prime Minister, Allen Chastanet along with the President of Dominica Charles Savarin, and OECS Director-General Dr Didacus Jules.
PM Browne highlighted that graduation 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, the UN SDG 2030 development goals, 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.
(More in today’s Daily Observer)