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Financial News

Jan 2006 Financial News

Historic signing for CSME in Jamaica today

Jan 30, 2006

SIGNATURES to two separate Declarations today for the common goal, initially, of a dozen states of the Caribbean Community, will legally bring into force the first phase of Caricom's Single Market and Economy (CSME).

It is the historic ceremonial event scheduled by the Caricom Secretariat for this afternoon at the Mona campus of the University of the West Indies.

Hosted by the Jamaica Government of Prime Minister PJ Patterson, witnesses to the signature event will comprise a distinguished gathering of representatives of the region's governments, private sector, parliamentary opposition parties, academia, regional institutions, labour movment and non-government organisations.

First, there is expected to be a Declaration of Entry, bearing the signatures of Heads of Government of the first six Caricom member states to signify CSME-readiness, as of January 1, 2006 - Barbados, Belize, Guyana, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and Suriname.

This will be followed by a Declaration of Intent, signed by the Prime Ministers or delegated representatives of Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia and St Vincent and the Grenadines. The intention is to be on board by March 31.

Signing of the relevant instruments, in confirmity with the substantially revised Caricom treaty for the CSME, marks an historic milestone in a long, at times tortuous journey by the region's economic integration movement over the past 32 years in quest of the goal of a seamless regional economy, now targeted for 2008.

Speakers for the signing ceremony will be host Prime Minister Patterson, recognised as the "elder statesman" of Caricom, and scheduled to retire in April; Owen Arthur, Prime Minister of Barbados with special responsibility for CSME arrangements; and Vincentian Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves. Master of ceremonies will be the Community's Secretary General, Edwin Carrington.

Prior to this afternoon's signing ceremony, there is to be a meeting of the six-member committee of government and parliamentary opposition leaders, established at last July's Caricom Summit in St Lucia to engage in structured dialogue in pursuit of improved governance and shared interest in the goals of the Community.


Rickey Singh
The Trinidad Express
Monday, 30th January, 2006.
http://www.trinidadexpress.com/index.pl/article_news?id=132152844