Asia PR News

PORT-OF-SPAIN, 28 Dec. /PRNewswire-AsiaNet/ –

Cricket fans traveling to the Caribbean for Cricket World Cup 2007 can rest
assured that they will feel secure as the host countries for the event will
implement security measures of an unprecedented level.

This assurance has been given by Hon. Mia Mottley, Deputy Prime Minister of
Barbados and Chair of the Caribbean Community Sub Committee for CWC 2007
security.

"Cricket World Cup is the world’s third-largest sporting event, and we are
expecting thousands of people to come to the Caribbean for it. We will make
sure people feel safe, and, as a result, implement several security measures,"
said Ms. Mottley.

Ms. Mottley stresses that the region is mindful of the global war on
terror, and, given this reality, security has to be optimal for an event such
as the Cricket World Cup. She also indicated that Caribbean countries have
invested heavily in this area.

"In the Caribbean it may be believed that we are not at risk from acts of
terrorism. However, reality dictates that we take every step to ensure we
provide a secure environment for the staging of Cricket World Cup," Ms. Mottley
emphasized.

One of the main security measures is the CARICOM Special Visa, which fans
from most countries will need for travel to the CWC 2007 venue. The visa will
be required for travel to the countries between the period of January 15 - May
15, 2007, and is available as of December 15, 2006.

"The Special Visa is a safety net for cricket fans. In implementing this
decision for the visa requirement, host countries have created a Single
Domestic Space that will provide hassle-free movement of cricket fans," said
Ms. Mottley.

The countries in the Single Domestic Space are Antigua and Barbuda,
Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia,
St. Vincent and The Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago. Visa issuing sites
will be located in the host countries, as well as Toronto, Canada; New York and
Miami in the U.S.; New Delhi, India; Sydney, Australia; and London, England.

Application for the visa can be completed and downloaded online via the
CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS) website at
http://www.caricomimpacs.org A processing fee of US$100 can also be paid
online with a credit card.

It is anticipated that the turnaround time for persons receiving their
visas would be a maximum of 21 days.

About CARICOM IMPACS
The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Implementation Agency for Crime and
Security (IMPACS) was established at the 27th Meeting of the Conference of
Heads of Government of CARICOM in July 2006.

IMPACS was established as the implementation arm of a new Regional
Architecture for the development and management of the CARICOM Regional Action
Agenda on Crime and Security issues. IMPACS is headed by an Executive Director
and reports to the CARICOM Council of Ministers responsible for National
Security and Law and Enforcement.

IMPACS executes a broad portfolio, which ranges from project management to
research and resource mobilization. Its overall objective is to enhance the
individual and collective capacity of CARICOM member states to control crime
and effectively participate in international counter crime and security
initiatives.

Contact: Rose Blenman, CARICOM, 868-628-2733, rblenman@caricom.org

SOURCE: CARICOM - IMPACS,
Implementing Agency for Crime and Security

CONTACT: Rose Blenman,
CARICOM,
+1-868-628-2733, or
rblenman@caricom.org

Web site: http://www.caricomimpacs.org