Minister of Foreign Relations Eduardo Latorre has said that the free trade agreement that will be signed on Saturday, 22 August between the Caribbean Community (Caricom) and the Dominican Republic opens up a market of seven million consumers. This market is considered to have one of the highest buying powers in the Western Hemisphere. Latorre favors the economic, social and political integration the treaty will bring to the region. The free trade agreement provides a framework for the promotion of investments, and creates an area of free trade for goods and services. The agreement will be signed at the closing of the Caribbean Summit that will take place at the Jaragua Renaissance Hotel in Santo Domingo. President Leonel Fernández will sign for the Dominican Republic. St. Lucia Prime Minister, who is the president of the Caricom, will sign representing that Caribbean trade block. Minister of Foreign Relations Latorre says that the agreement is a trascendental step towards economic integration of the region and that it will contribute to the Dominican Republic’s recovering the large market share of the goods and services trade the country had during the first half of the century. At that time, Dominican sailboats distributed much of the produce consumed in the Caribbean. Latorre has said a tentative agenda of seven points will be discussed. On the agenda is the following: Post Lomé negotiations of Asian, Caribbean and Pacific and European Union countries. The Free Trade Area, Caribbean relations with the US and the Caribbean Basin Initiative. The strategic alliance of Caricom and Central America. The Caribbean at the start of the new millenium, with positions to be set regarding globalization, democracy, gobernability and social demands of the region, sustainability, environment and economic development with equity. Position before the Summit of the European Union, Latin America and the Caribbean set for Rio de Janeiro in May 1999 The Forum of Negotiations of the United States and Caribbean and DR in January 1999 Preparation of a joint declaration on the meeting. The schedule: Thursday, 20 August 2-5 pm. Arrival of the heads of states 8:30 pm. Welcome reception at the National Palace Friday, 21 August 9:30 am Opening session Salon Anacaona, Hotel Jaragua 9:45 am First working session Salon, Anacaona, Hotel Jaragua 10:50 coffee break 11:10 am Continuation of work session 1 pm Working lunch at the Vesuvio Restaurant 3 pm. Second work session 4:50 pm coffee break 5:10 pm. Continuation of the 2nd work session 8:30 pm Artistical show to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Caricom Santo Domingo Country Club 9:30 pm Private dinner offered by President Leonel Fernandez to onor the visiting chief of state of Caricom Santo Domingo Country Club Saturday, 22 August 10 am Closing ceremony of the Cariforum meeting 10:05 am Signing of the Free Trade Agreement between DR and Caricom Hotel Jaragua 10:30 am Closing of the Event 11:30 am Press conference Hotel Jaragua 12:20 pm. Official photo taking at the Museo de las Casas Reales. 12:45 pm Chiefs of states commemorate the 500th anniversary of the city of Santo Domingo at the Museo de las Casas Reales 1:30 pm. Luncheon to commemorate the 500 years of the city at the Museo de las Casas Reales 4 pm. Departure to the Las Americas International Airport
