ABASBO partners with the Eastern Caribbean-Southeast Asia Economic and Cultural Chamber

                                                                                For Immediate Release

St. John’s, Antigua (June 27, 2017) On behalf of the Members, Consultants, Liaison Representatives and Advisory Committee of the Eastern Caribbean-Southeast Asia Economic and Cultural Chamber, I would like to express our heartfelt gratitude for your enthusiastic reception to the Chamber and its endeavours.

Moreover, we would like to extend our sincerest thanks to the following government and private sector stakeholders who gave time to meet with us.

Thank you to the Antigua Barbuda Association of Small Business Owners, the Antigua & Barbuda Free Trade and Processing Zone, the Antigua & Barbuda Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Immigration, the Antigua & Barbuda Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Industry, Sports, Culture & National Festivals, the Antigua & Barbuda Chamber of Commerce & Industry, the Antigua & Barbuda Investment Authority, Destiny Christian Television, Caribbean Times Antigua and the University of Health Sciences Antigua.

We would specially like to thank the member of our Advisory Committee in Antigua & Barbuda, Ms. Verlyn Faustin for her unwavering support of Chamber initiatives.

The Chamber is continuing its mission of proactive transparency in the Eastern Caribbean region through the ongoing Caribbean Roadshow happening until August and as we move forward to execute our plans in the coming months and years, we aim to conscript your constant encouragement in order to reach our mutual goals.

Despite showcasing our recent implementations, we understand that as a young organization, we have only touched the tip of the iceberg and are expecting numerous challenges ahead. Although we believe that with your continued support and regular information sharing, we know we can push further and overcome these obstacles.

Since the Chamber’s founding last year, we have conquered strategic battles and strive to advance slowly yet effectively. From the creation of our SME Foreign Action Plan designed to serve small-to-medium firms all the way to recognizing the existential threat of climate change for the region, the Chamber only has positive and focused goals on the horizon. As of May 2017, the Chamber has been approved to participate in the United Nations Global Compact and has committed its endeavours towards achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The official statement of support is found at this UN website:

https://www.unglobalcompact.org/what-is-gc/participants/109751-Eastern-Caribbean-Southeast-Asia-Economic-and-Cultural-Chamber.

In addition, realizing the need to continuously support our stakeholders, we recently sent a request letter to Her Excellency Ms. Fekitamoeloa Katoa ‘Utoikamanu, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States to signify our intent for collaboration.

To further develop our efforts on a regional level in Southeast Asia, the Chamber is slated to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Business and Investment Summit this coming November organized by the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (http://asean-bac.org). Though the Chamber’s participation in this intergovernmental activity is purely observatory, the direct involvement accords immeasurable networking opportunities which could harvest business partnerships for the Eastern Caribbean region.

These are just but some of the countless activities and initiatives on the Chamber’s agenda for the next several years. As we sail along we will continue to pursue and implement other relevant projects.

To refresh you again with our goals, we have attached the information deck we presented during our meeting with you.

It is the Chamber’s sole objective to serve our government and private sector stakeholders with maximum tenacity and perseverance but it is only through steady and continued communication can we reach our common aspirations. In this regard, we fervently hope that we can keep the correspondence channels fully open between the Chamber, yourself and your organization.

Once again, thank you for your continued trust and support.

Yours sincerely,

End