Found at: http://www.anguillaguide.com/article/articleprint/3773/-1/140/
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Anguilla Hosts Regional Meeting
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On Wednesday and Thursday this week, Anguilla hosted the Third Meeting of the Steering Committee with responsibility for setting policy, approving the annual work and implementing programmes under the Overseas Countries and Territories Strategic Planning Project.
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The HeadTable with Mr. Banks at extreme right
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The conference, held at Paradise Cove Resort, was attended by delegates from Barbados, St. Eustatius, Tortola, the United States and host island Anguilla.
The meeting was arranged through the Caribbean Development Centre for Administration (CARICAD).
Anguilla’s Acting Chief Minsiter and Minister of Economic Development, Victor Banks, said the meeting was an opportunity for the Overseas Territories in particular to get their houses in order in terms of addressing issues of national development. He felt it was important in terms of accessing funds particularly from the European Union, a big source of concessionary grant aid.
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Delegates at the meeting
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Mr. Banks said it was critical to note that when the developing needs of the Overseas Territories in the Caribbean were being considered that it should be understood that the islands were small states but with very important issues to deal with.
He stated sometimes it was very challenging to achieve the objectives of national development due to delays in the implementation of projects. He pointed out that Anguilla had some concerns that while it had received approval of funds in 2003 for a major project, up to now the island had not benefited from the funding.
The opening ceremony also included remarks by Ralph Jones, the Chairman of the Regional Territorial Authorising Office, Jennifer Astaphan, Executive Director of the Caribbean Development Centre for Administration and Spiros Polycandriotis, Head of Social Development of the Section of the European Community Delegation in Barbados.
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Delegates at the meeting
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Dr. Aidan Harrigan, Permanent Secretary, Economic Development and Planning in Anguilla welcomed the delegates. The opening ceremony was chaired by Brenda Hughes, Project Team Representative and the Vote of Thanks was given by Gloria Kelsick also a team representative.