At the opening ceremony, Carrington announced that CARICOM would eventually open an office in Havana to facilitate trade between Cuba and CARICOM nations.

In turn, Cabrisas voiced Havana's readiness to negotiate a free-trade pact with CARICOM.

Taking part Monday were representatives of Trinidad and Tobago, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the Bahamas, Jamaica, Guyana, St. Lucia, and St. Kitts and Nevis. Still to arrive were the delegations from Belize, Grenada and Haiti.

Trade between Cuba and CARICOM nations increased 30 percent in 1996 over 1995, but the partners are not taking full advantage of the relationship's potential, official sources indicated.

Cabrisas expressed Cuba's interest in improving bilateral relations by participating as an observer in Caribbean community organizations and becoming a full member of CARICOM.

The Cuban minister said he hoped ``for fair treatment, so the Caribbean may enjoy profitable relations with Europe in the immediate future, relations that will suit [the Caribbean's] needs for socioeconomic development.''

Next on the conference's agenda are trade development and investment growth between Cuba and CARICOM, maritime transport across the Caribbean, financing for joint projects and the admission of other Caribbean states. The conference ends Wednesday.