BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – A new unit was recently created in the Office of the Prime Minister to lead on the implementation of a range of initiatives connected with the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) regional integration movement.
This new entity, the Regional Integration and Diaspora Affairs Unit, will be headed by St. Kitts and Nevis’ OECS Commissioner Designate, Astona Browne.
According to a post-Cabinet briefing, Ministers met on Monday (Sept. 5) to review a number of critical decisions taken earlier, and Prime Minister Douglas emphasised the importance of getting the local populace fully ready to embrace the opportunities and challenges concomitant with further regional integration, including the free movement of people through the OECS states and closer political integration.
“A major component of the adjustment strategy, with respect to the impending closer regional integration, is the improvement of our system of technical and vocational education and training in particular to meet regional and international standards so as to equip our nationals with a range of widely accredited employment and business development skills,” the post-Cabinet briefing stated.
It added that such improvement would further ensure that citizens are not displaced but they would be able compete in a variety of occupational fields throughout the region and beyond.
“The Regional Integration and Diaspora Affairs Unit,” it continued, “will also bring a higher level of focus to the concerns and issues affecting members of the Kittitian-Nevisian Diaspora.”
It noted that these matters will include, but not limited to, returning nationals affairs; formalising networks with and among members of the Diaspora to harness the ideas and resources of members of the Diaspora for the economic, social and political development of Kittitians and Nevisians at home and in the Diaspora; and promoting and facilitating business investment by members in the Diaspora.
It is said that with her formidable background in foreign and international relations and security, Browne is well-suited for the position, and that the government reposes enormous confidence in her ability as she assumes this exceptionally important responsibility going forward.
In an August 5, 2011 press release from the OECS Secretariat in Castries, St. Lucia, it was declared that as from August 1, 2011 freedom of movement in the OECS was now a fact of life.
“Monday August 1, 2011 heralded the commencement of full free movement of OECS citizens throughout the six independent countries of the Organisation. Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines agreed that, from that date, they would permit OECS citizens to enter their territories and remain for an indefinite period in order to work, establish businesses, provide services or reside.
“Free movement of OECS citizens is one of the fundamental aspects of the Revised Treaty of Basseterre establishing the OECS Economic Union, which entered into force on January 21, 2011. On that date the OECS Authority of Heads of Government agreed that August 01, 2011 would be the implementation date for the regime for the complete free movement of citizens of participating Member States,” the release read.
