Laurent endorses union

Senior Commonwealth official Edwin Laurent says he is optimistic about moves by the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States sub-region to form a single economic space.



The treaty was signed in June.



The economic union proposed by the smaller CARICOM member states is expected to take effect by January of next year.



Laurent, a former OECS ambassador who is currently based at the Commonwealth Secretariat in London as a trade expert, said he hopes the economic union will succeed.