BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – LEADERS from across the region are expected in Basseterre to discuss, among other things, enhancing regional air and maritime transportation and further advancing the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME).
The leaders are meeting for the 30th Inter-Sessional Meeting where a number of issues of regional importance are for deliberation, ahead of the Heads of Government Meeting slated for July in Castries, St. Lucia.
According to a statement from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Heads of Government would examine recommendations from a Special Meeting of the CARICOM Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) on Transportation, held in St Vincent and the Grenadines on 18 February.
That meeting dealt with, among other things, the Multilateral Air Services Agreement (MASA), proposals for a regional ferry service and easier security check-in for in-transit passengers. The agreement, when implemented, would serve as a mechanism to maximize the economic and social benefits arising from aviation activities for CARICOM air carriers.
The Inter-Sessional Meeting will also seek to advance measurable steps for action on the CSME, which were identified at a Special Meeting of Heads in Trinidad and Tobago in December. These include new categories for free movement of persons.
According to the CARICOM statement, leaders would engage with the private sector in operationalizing the Protocol on Contingent Rights, which was signed by 10 Member States during the 39th Regular Meeting in Jamaica last July.
Meanwhile, SKNVibes understands that Security Threats and Blacklisting issues affecting Member States are also on the agenda for consideration.
