BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – CHANGES and challenges in the nation’s transition into the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) framework have topped the agenda of the Ministry of International Trade, Industry and Commerce.
Minister responsible for those areas, Hon. Dr. Timothy Harris disclosed yesterday (Dec. 3) that he met with a three-member CARICOM delegation to the Federation led by Owen Arthur, the former Prime Minister of Barbados and CSME consultant appointed by the regional secretariat.
The contingent was appointed to assess the restrictions to effective and seamless regional integration, with a special focus on the challenges and progress made in implementing the CSME.
According to a release issued by the Ministry, the study has been funded by the European Development Fund (EDF) under its Caribbean Integration Support Programme (CISP) and it seeks to “identify and rank the factors that currently limit full involvement” of CARICOM member states.
Harris described the meeting as “very refreshing and re-assuring”, adding that it is necessary for such dialogue to address the issues “which confront and inhibit the pace of growth and advancement of the CSME”.
“The report will demonstrate those disadvantages which have emanated from forces of competition in the CSME. Additionally, the report will address and prescribe the urgent, medium and long term interventions and remedies that will be required to ensure that the less developed countries will better contribute in the CSME in the shortest timeframe,” Harris informed.
The socio-economic variables existing among member states of the region, according to Harris, have long been a “source of discomfort” in making the machinery of CARICOM fully functional. He indicated, however, that such challenges can be resolved if member states “ardently focus on the intents and desires of the Treaty”, and remain committed to its goals.
The discussions come one week after the same ministry had welcomed two consultants contracted by CARICOM to assess the nation’s administrative procedures and identify all of the restrictions to CSME that exist. Within the same week the ministry hosted some 25 students from Barbados to give them practical field experience in an integrated region.
The study is expected to be completed within a six month period and the consultants will present a report to the CARICOM Secretariat.
