BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS (April 12, 2005): The Federal Cabinet has approved a set of guidelines developed to facilitate implementation of the free movement under the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), Monday, April 11.

The approved administrative arrangements are designed to operationalize the free movement of identified skilled persons, as established by the Caribbean Community Skilled Nationals Act, No. 2 of 2002 and 2005.

The arrangements released to SKNIS today call for the following:

 1.  The designation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade to be responsible for the review of applications and the signing of certificates of recognition of CARICOM Skills Qualification.

2.  The setting up of a Free Movement of Skills (FMS) Committee that would review applications on behalf of the designated Minister of Government.

3.  The establishment of an Accreditation Board that will serve in an advisory capacity to the Free Movement of Skills Committee with regards to the qualification of applicants, and

4.  That the FMS Committee should propose a list of supporting documents that should accompany applications from graduates and persons in the identified skilled categories, by its first meeting.

The Ministry of International Trade has indicated that the approved guidelines are in keeping with those established by the CARICOM Secretariat, which aim at harmonizing the approaches taken by member countries of the Caribbean Community.