We are pleased to inform you that the OHADAC Draft Rules of Arbitration and Conciliation, the explanatory text and the Draft Statutes of the OHADAC Caribbean Centre for Arbitration and Conciliation, have been made available online and on the www.ohadac.com website as of today. Available in the three OHADAC languages: English, Spanish and French, these texts and particularly the Arbitration Rules aim to give the parties the primary role they have in international commercial arbitration. The text ensures the promotion of the process of competitive, flexible and economical arbitration, based on legal security with the highest standards of competence, neutrality, independence and responsibility of the arbitrators, at an affordable cost for small and medium businesses in the Caribbean region.

Defended on a legal plan by leading legal experts of the Greater Caribbean and Latin America and by renowned Spanish international law professors, all of them specialists in Private Law, International Business Law and Arbitration, the OHADAC project is also supported by the French side and with technical assistance of the Henri Capitant Association, formed by friends of the French legal culture. Today, the order of lawyers in Paris also provides support for the progress of the project (see note on the OHADAC project's progress in late March, 2015).

As the OHADA program launched by the Heads of State of the concerned countries in Africa, in the early 90's, with Judge Kéba MBAYE's encouragement, this is a highly structuring program that will leave its mark on the legal realm of business for the next decades in the Caribbean and Latin American region. The particular current strategic character in favor of the Caribbean and Latin American integration is emphasized, to contribute to the harmonization of the various legal systems that provide a basis for the legal orders of these territories, all for the benefit of a greater legal security in international transactions.

Professionals from all countries of the Greater Caribbean, i.e. CUBA, HAITI, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, DOMINICA, SANTA LUCIA and TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO have demonstrated their interest in the project, which has already reached a stage of maturity. These will present the result of their work to the public, in order to enrich and make the most out of the OHADAC program.

Other Latin American countries have expressed great interest to take part in this OHADAC legal harmonization dynamic, largely inspired by the historical success of OHADAC's dynamics.

The OHADAC Caribbean regional conference will be held on the upcoming 21st and 22nd of September at the World Trade Center Complex in Jarry, Guadeloupe. The result of the comprehensive harmonization work that has been carried out will be presented during the Congress, which will bring together the experts that participated in the project, with distinguished jurists and representatives of the Greater Caribbean, and will serve as the baptismal font of the OHADAC Caribbean Centre for Arbitration and Conciliation.

For further information, please contact Dr. Jean Alain PENDA: japenda@ohadac.com.