Above: Pointe-a-Pitre, Guadeloupe (CJ Photo)

By the Caribbean Journal staff

A 35-member delegation of private and public sector entities from across the Eastern Caribbean visited the French Caribbean departments of Martinique and Guadeloupe last week.

The mission, which was coordinated by the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States’ Export Development Unit, was led by Acting Head of the Economic Affairs Division at the OECS Secretariat, Ms. Virginia Paul.

The mission, which included 27 private sector leaders from OECS Member States from sectors like manufacturing, the creative industries, community-based tourism and green energy, among others.

The delegation visited the two French departments from March 30 to April 5.

In a statement, the OECS Secretariat said the aim of the visits was to “have a better understanding of the standards required to gain entry into the FCORs and the EU as well as a greater awareness of opportunities available under the Economic Partnership Agreement.”

The visit came following a high-profile report last year that urged economic integration for Martinique and Guadeloupe into the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States.