Bermuda will become an official associate member of the Caribbean Community and Common Market (Caricom) today.

Premier Jennifer Smith, accompanied by Assistant Cabinet Minister Kenneth Dill and Chief of Staff David Burch, is attending a meeting of the heads of the community in Montego Bay, Jamaica, this week.

Premier Smith will officially sign the agreement making Bermuda an associate member today during the conference's opening ceremony, which will be broadcast live. The Premier will also join other Caricom government leaders at a state dinner honouring the president of South Africa, Thabo Mbeki, who will speak at the opening ceremony. The Premier said she was delighted by the honour.