The CAIC held its 56^th Annual General Meeting and its 99^th Board of Directors meeting on Friday, 10^th June, 2011, at the Ocean Terrace Inn (OTI) at the opening of which, remarks were presented by Minister of Trade and Commerce, Dr. Timothy Harris.

He said the meeting was a critical one as it came during a time when the performance and function of businesses in competitive economies is being challenged by external forces. He said the CAIC, being the umbrella organization for the business sector in the Caribbean, would have to reexamine its approach and strategise on how it will face these challenges.

“Hence, as you ponder and pontificate on the future, CAIC ought to, in a very clear and deliberate manner at today’s meeting, clinically re-examine its raison d’etre and modus operandi, and devise new and appropriate strategies, if it is to be a recognizable and respected player in the shark infested waters of global business activities.

“In essence, CAIC must bring the necessary acuity to its operations, if its membership and its wider constituency are to feel convinced that the Caribbean is making its mark on the world stage. Yes, you heard me right, CAIC does have a wider constituency – a constituency of the entire population of the region – and I believe that it is committed to serve that constituency in a most exemplary way.”

Dr. Harris described the 56^th AGM and the 99^th Board of Directors meeting as a defining moment in the history of the CAIC from which a redesigned approach would be birthed.

“Today, CAIC, like so many other regional organizations, stands at the crossroads of its existence which already has spanned some fifty six years, and as it moves towards the 100th meeting of its Board of Directors later this year, it ought to ensure that it reaches this milestone in fine style – it should be a well played century.

“And so this meeting is a watershed occasion – a defining moment if you will – when the present day architects of this respected association must demonstrate the requisite resolve and resilience in designing a revamped blueprint from which the refurbishment of CAIC’s thrusts will emanate.”