Medina lists hurdles to bolster LatAm, Caribbean

Santo Domingo.- PresidentDanilo Medina on Sunday said to deal with Latin America and the Caribbean’s challengesin trade, tourism, disaster management and transport, among others, the Associationof Caribbean States’ (ACS) initiatives must be bolstered.

Speaking at the 7th Summit of Heads of State andGovernment of the ACS in Havana, Medina called on the regional bloc’s members tomake efforts to capitalize the entity’s Special Fund.

He reiterated Santo Domingo’s support of ACS initiatives tofoster regional trade to gradual reduce and eliminate hurdles and make shippingmore efficient. "Likewise, we support the initiative on mobility ofbusiness people to facilitate interaction and intra-regional linkage on tradeand investment."

Medina noted however that those trade initiatives should becomplemented by preferential tariff formula among ACS countries. “One thattakes into account the asymmetries in the economies of the region and ensuringfair and equitable relations."