Caribbean institutions involved in the fight against HIV/AIDS say they're making good progress.

	The HIV/AIDS ribbon featured prominently as the global community observed World AIDS Day

However they recommend that the fight must remain a priority even as the region prepares for rough economic times.

The Caribbean joined the rest of the global community in observing December 1 as World Aids Day.

The agencies and institutions involved in battling the disease have been urged to consider consolidating their efforts to avoid competing for scarce funds.

That advice, from Programme Manager of the Trinidad-based Caribbean Regional Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS, Patricia St Bernard.

Belt-tightening measures announced

Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Patrick Manning has announced major cuts in public spending.

The government's trying to contain the fallout from the global financial crisis and anticipates a 5.3 billion Trinidad and Tobago dollar shortfall in revenues for 2009.

In his address on Sunday night Mr Manning warned the country that it was time for belt-tightening all around.

He called for understanding and cooperation amongst government, business and labour, and announced that his administration was about to initiate discussions at the tripartite level.

Western powers criticised

Developing nations have at a UN AIDS summit, criticised wealthy Western powers whom they blame for bringing financial ruin to their doorstep.

These states have been venting their anger at the meeting in Qatar - one of the largest gatherings to include developing nations since the global financial crisis erupted.

Conference host Qatar made a pointed reference to a recession which it said the developed world was about to enter and drag with it the rest of the people on the planet.

Other developing states then took aim at the powerful West over its own failures - in particular the United States.

Trinidad and Tobago minister of state Mariano Browne said there that while blame was a harsh word, it may be a realistic one in this case.

Appeal for human rescue package

The European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso has called for a 'human rescue' package to help poor countries.

Mr Barroso said it would be 'obscene' to neglect the human cost of the global slowdown.

There are fears that rich countries will cut back on development aid as a result of the looming recession.

Mr Barroso said that climate change, energy security and trade would add to the potential problems facing poor countries as result of the financial crisis.

Antiguans get relief measures

Lower costs at the pumps, relief for pensioners and people paying income tax.

These were among some of the measures announced by the Antigua and Barbuda government in the 2009 Budget presented to Parliament on Monday.

Finance minister Errol Cort said the initiatives would help the country confront the global financial crisis and assist those who have been feeling the effects of the rising cost of living.

Dr Cort said fuel prices will be reduced by EC$1.70 or about .62 US cents while pensioners 70 years and over who are not receiving a pension will begin receiving a monthly instalment of EC$300.00 or US$111.00.

The minister said the government will reduce the band for middle income earners who pay personal income tax from 15 to 10 percent.