Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller left the island yesterday to attend the 30th Miami Conference of the Caribbean Basin in Miami, Florida, leaving Dr. Peter Phillips, the Minister of National Security, in charge of the Government.

Mrs. Simpson Miller was scheduled to deliver the keynote address at a reception yesterday evening on the conference theme: 'A United Third Border: The future of U.S./Caribbean Trade and Investment Relations and the need for building a development partnership'.

The Miami Conference on the Caribbean is an initiative of the Caribbean and Central American Action and began in 1976. It brings together public and private sector leaders from the regions in dialogue aimed at building common ground for the advancement of investment and trade relations.

Mrs. Simpson Miller is scheduled to return to the island tomorrow.