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Caricom Leader Urges Members To Complete Single Market Reforms
by Amanda Banks, Tax-News.com, London
11 March 2008

Delivering opening remarks at the Nineteenth Inter-Sessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM in Nassau, the Bahamas, Secretary-General Edwin Carrington stressed that time was not on the Region’s side, particularly with regard to safeguarding the security of the Community, and to achieving the goal of a Single Market and Economy in the agreed timeframe.

Recalling the unity that was evident among member states in the successful staging of Cricket World Cup (CWC) 2007 in the Region, Carrington charged heads of state and governments “and all of us to put our shoulders to the wheel and redouble our efforts and to take our integration arrangements to a higher level. And time is not on our side”.

Caricom government leaders expressed their satisfaction that conditions had now been met, from December 31st, 2007, for artisans and nationals with Associated Degrees and the equivalent to be added to the categories eligible for free movement.

However, they expressed concern that member states are still to implement the regimes for CARICOM nationals exercising the right of establishment and the right to provide services – critical components of the Single Market, which is now in its third year of operation.

Some of the other key agenda items of the meeting included recommendations on the operation of the CARICOM Development Fund (RDF) and the Regional Development Agency (RDA), proposals on the alleviation of the high and rising cost of living, and suggestions on the way forward regarding future external trade negotiations.

Carrington said that he hoped the lessons learnt from the recently concluded negotiations for the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between CARIFORUM and the EC would strengthen the region as it moves towards forthcoming new negotiations.

In his remarks, the Secretary-General also welcomed two new governmental leaders; David Thompson, Prime Minister of Barbados and Dean Barrow, Prime Minister of Belize.

“Their thoughts, perspectives and contribution to the way forward are eagerly awaited, especially given the lead responsibilities they will be required to carry, given the critical areas of community endeavours assigned to their two countries – Barbados, The CARICOM Single Market and Economy and Belize - Sustainable Development including the Environment," Carrington stated.

The Nineteenth Inter-Sessional capped a week of important community meetings, including the Twenty-Fourth Special Meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) and the Twelfth Meeting of the Council for Finance and Planning (COFAP), both of which also took place in Nassau.

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