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CTO & CACCI Create Cooperation Strategy for Diaspora for 2017-18

NEW YORK, NY (Aug. 21, 2017) – The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) and the Caribbean American

Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CACCI) recently formalized a cooperation strategy between the two
organizations to strengthen the role of the Caribbean Diaspora while sharing resources and creating sustainability for

the people and the region.

“CACCI believes that now is indeed the time for serious, positive action. We stand ready to support the regional
integration process and will continue to respond positively to the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO),
CARICOM, and OECS heads of government for assistance requested,” Dr. Roy A. Hastick Sr., the president and

chief executive officer of CACCI said in reference to the Caribbean Community and sub-regional grouping, the
Organization of Eastern Caribbean States, as he introduced Hugh Riley, the secretary general of the CTO, to the

member delegates.

Dr. Hastick continued, “This is an excellent opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to continue to work with you
and your team, and continue the collaboration on which to build an even more unified and stronger Caribbean
Community.”

In his remarks CACCI Board Chairman Mr. Edmund Sadio made mention of the longstanding relationship between

CACCI and the CTO and the important role of CACCI’s founder in being an unofficial ambassador for the
Caribbean Diaspora.

“As the tourism development agency for the Caribbean, the CTO recognizes the role of the Caribbean Diaspora in
contributing to the tourism success of our member-countries, generating investment, stimulating a wide range of
commercial activity, injecting significant amounts of foreign exchange, and influencing decisions at the highest

levels of the public and private sectors,” said Riley. “CACCI has been an influential force in building valuable
business relationships between the Caribbean Diaspora and the decision-makers of New York City and New York

State. Our communities continue to benefit from Dr. Hastick’s credo that business networking works.”

As part of the meeting, CTO and CACCI finalized arrangements for reciprocal membership, making each
organization a member of the other with the two leaders formalizing the process by an exchange of documents and
membership insignia.

The next steps are to begin implementing elements of the cooperation strategy for 2017-18, including investment

prospects for the Caribbean, educational opportunities for Caribbean students, and CACCI’s involvement in