When it was announced on Thursday that Dominican Irwin LaRocque was chosen to be the seventh Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the spotlight was thrown on this dedicated public servant and on Dominica.
LaRocque comes to the post of the region’s top civil servant with a wealth of experience in management, public administration, economic development, trade, foreign affairs and diplomacy.
He was Dominica’s senior policy adviser on the revision of the original Treaty of Chaguaramas and served on the CARICOM Inter-Governmental Task Force which drafted the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas.
During the period when Dominica underwent a structural adjustment programme, he was a member of the Cabinet-appointed Public Sector Reform Task Force, which included the private sector, trade unions and non-governmental organisations, with responsibility for the overall management, planning and performance review of the public sector reform process.
He also served as the Chairman of the Consultative Working Group, a public/private sector consultative and advisory committee appointed by the Dominica Cabinet, with focus on the enabling environment for private sector development and growth.
He has also served on several Boards, including those of the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre, Caribbean Export, the Dominica Agricultural, Industrial and Development Bank, and the Dominica National Development Corporation.
As Assistant Secretary-General, LaRocque has provided strategic leadership for the continuing implementation and further development of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), as well as the Sectoral Programmes of the Community including agriculture, services, industry and energy.
He has managed diplomatic negotiations with third countries and international development partners which required political acumen for successful completion. He has testified, on behalf of the Community, before the US International Trade Commission on trade relations between the Caribbean and the US with emphasis on extending and expanding the Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI).
He is currently the Co-Chair of the US-CARICOM Trade and Investment Council and is leading the negotiations with the United States Trade Representative Office for a new Trade and Investment Framework Agreement.
LaRocque has gained considerable experience with the European arrangements through his involvement in developing and negotiating with the Commission of the European Union, development assistance under the European Development Fund.
No doubt LaRocque, 56, is fit for the job and will make Dominica and Dominicans all over the world proud.
Congrats to my ex-boss….i know u will do a great job and make our country proud….u r at the right place at the right time…with you at the helm CARICOM and the regional integration process which has been stagnant for far to long will definitely move forward…God’s blessing an guidance on this new journey…
when i say uncle sam i mean the person who commented “so what” is a majee
uncle sam, u is a majee
i no dominican have a lot of capable people out there that even be better leader then the presant pm we have.
mr Larocque u deserve it..let us show the rest of the world that small countries like dominica can produce citizens toot only move caricom but rather enhance the global village that we live in.
As Prime Minister of the Caribbean Community, please outline for us your vision
Wondering if he’s from the coulibistrie roots of LaRocques.If yes we are related, but I dont know him.
Yes he is. Both Elliot and Peter (Petro) were his uncles.He is Erskine (solda) Brother. He is a true man of the Soil, a proud Dominican.
Congratulations Mr. Larocque!! Well deserved to a hard working and humble man. God speed in your new job.
congrates to you sir. mr larocque, you have made all dominicans proud. we do hope and pray that under your leadership caricom will see significant implementation of policies and plans that will have a positive impack on the region.
Congrats!
waw!!!! congratulations sir!!
These are the great men who really inspire me. Wish u all the best Sir, you make prouder to b Dominican. Blessings upon u.
CONGRATS TO MR. WHOEVERYOUAREANDWHOMIDON’TKNOW
good to see dominicans reaching high postions
Congratulations Mr LaRocque.
Congratulations to His Excellency Irwin LaRocque on being appointed the Seventh Secretary General of CARICOM. I wish him well in the position and look forward to seeing greater socio economic opportunities created for all CARICOM Nationals during his term of office.
Great, impeccable credentials, my sincere hope all efforts and endeavors translate into tangible socio-economic results for us all.
Extensive resume, and for dome of you working on yours, just keep working time answers all things. everyday matters.
Mr. LaRocque, congratulations to you. I am very proud to be a Dominican. I advise you sir to do your duty with dignity and pride and forever walk with your head held high.
Congratulations are in order. Well done La Rocque. You will certainly do Dominica and Caricom proud.
congrats
Congratulations Mr Larocque. You epitomize what I hope to become and your success is a great inspiration to me and many other Dominicans
This is awesomeness!!!! Congratulations, Mr. Irwin Larocque!!!!!!!!!! Very proud of you.
Congrats son of the soil,your records speaks for it self good luck in your future endevours.Seek God always and every thing will be alright.
Congratulations Mr Larocque
Another plus for DA, feels great being a Dominican.
…So What?
stupessssssssssssss ….how about you just don’t comment!!!
I do agree with you, Uncle Sam. Much ado about nothing.
It really hurts when DNO published these pieces of rubbish while censoring other people’s comments which they consider offensive. This is what you should censor!!
ADMIN: Everyone is entitled to their opinion as long as it is not defamatory.
I do agree with you admin. Have they ever heard of Rush Limbaugh.
I DON’T KNOW Y DNO DNT BLOCK ALLU A$$$$ WITH THOSE SENSELESS NEGATIVE COMMENTS!!!
WHAT DO U MEAN BY SO WHAT? SOME PEOPLE WILL ALWAYS B NEGATIVE NO MATTER WHAT..
LET ME SAY CONGRATULATIONS TO MR. LAROCQUE..WISH U GREAT SUCCESS!!!
HA! THIS GUY IS FUNNY! I THINK HE DID THAT ON PURPOSE TO INCITE REACTIONS
Jealous? Then do something to be praised.
You’re just jealous and bad minded.
Congratulations Mr LaRocque. Wishing you every success.
Congratulation to the brother.