Above: St Lucia

By the Caribbean Journal staff

The Organization of Eastern Caribbean States has officially established its new Economic Affairs Council.

The council, which was launched in a ceremony in St Lucia last Thursday, aims to “assist in ensuring that the region benefits from the OECS Economic Union through rights such as the free movement of persons, goods and services,” the regional body said in a statement.

The EAC will supervise the application of the OECS’ Economic Union Protocol and to keep its operation under review, acting in an “advisory capacity” on issues from deepening ties with other countries to attaining the objectives of the OECS.

Under the Revised Treaty of Basseterre, the EAC has the powers of implementation of the OECS Economic Union, on the direction of the OECS Authority.

The OECS said the establishment of the EAC completed the implementation of the five principal organs of the OECS Economic Union, along with the OECS Authority Heads of Government, the OECS Council of Ministers, the OECS ASsembly and the OECS Commission.

In his first address to the EAC, OECS Director General Dr Didacus Jules urged member states on the continued problem of a rising food import bill, suggesting “greater investment in home grown commodities which have significant nutritional value.”