Government Information Service

by Emmanuel H. Joseph
Government Information Service

Government continues to hold public dialogues on planned efforts to move ahead with the integration of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). On Tuesday, March 31, 2009, Hon. Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, Minister for Trade, Industry, Consumer and Diaspora Affairs, Senator Dr. Collin McIntyre and Dominica’s Ambassador to the OECS and CARICOM, His Excellency Charles Maynard were among top government officials at the public dialogue held in the town of Portsmouth.

Parliamentary Representative for the Portsmouth Constituency, Ian Douglas, stressed the importance of the union to helping the region face the challenges that confront the globe.

“In this era of globalisation and downturn of global economies, we cannot continue to move forward looking at Dominica in terms of our borders and what happens here in Dominica. We have to look further afield and broaden our horizons as a people. We must approach the rest of the world as a united front if we really are to make a mark on the world scene, if we are to be really respected and given our just due when we sit in dialogue with the other member nations of the world.”

Several Caribbean Governments have agreed to create an economic union which they hope will strengthen their economies and help to deal with progressive liberalisation in their region and hemisphere. The Governments agreed to give some urgency to the creation of the economic union by ensuring the free circulation of goods and services within the Organisation of the Eastern Caribbean States, OECS.

Hon. Minister for Trade, Industry, Consumer and Diaspora Affairs, Senator Dr. Collin McIntyre, echoed similar sentiments as Mr. Douglas. He went one step further by stating that the OECS is recognised and well respected as a unified body.

“Just imagine Dominica as itself operating on its own trying to trade out there. It is very difficult. No longer can we trade as a single island or country. As a matter of fact, the OECS is a very strong body as it is a body of unified islands and a grouping that is well respected. We know of the past that we have been used as a model. When we visit the region from time to time, the strength of the OECS is highlighted in the unity and what we have together.”

The Hon. Prime Minister of Dominica, Roosevelt Skerrit is a strong proponent of OECS unification. He highlighted that OECS unity is not about Dominica or the OECS vying for economic power but collectively as a group of islands to face the challenges posed to us by the myriads of circumstances that we face from time to time inclusive of natural disasters.

“This is not about Dominica only or about the OECS but it is about our very own survival. Our hope and wish is that we can get the support that is required that we can work together. I say so because if we want to claim our sovereignty all the time, then, and I recognise that in a few minutes the entire OECS or Dominica can be wiped out by a natural disaster, we should not wait, God forbid, for something like that to happen for us to jump and say ‘let us get together because we need help from other people.’”

The Prime Minister was pleased that from the feedback at the dialogue that the people of Portsmouth endorsed the idea of OECS unification.

“Let us do it while we can and have the time to do it. That time is now and I am happy to know that in Portsmouth, from the questions which were asked, the comments which were made and the attentiveness at which people have listened and participated in this consultation, I am satisfied that the people of Portsmouth and the north of Dominica are saying that they give this process a thumbs up. Let us, therefore, continue the dialogue to get to the point of 2009 where we can see the implantation of this very important engagement.”

Public dialogue on the proposed OECS Economic Union was officially launched in Dominica on April 23rd 2008. To date, four major public dialogues have taken place inclusive of the formal launching. Three more major dialogues are expected to take place; however, a number of smaller discussions with service groups in Dominica and other community groups are expected to take place before the process is formerly signed into effect.

Other OECS member states who have already launched the dialogues are Montserrat, St. Vincent, St. Lucia, Grenada and Antigua.

Part of the efforts in sensitising the public besides the dialogues include the making available of literature to the public (OECS Economic Union Draft Treaty, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) and the Prime Minister’s address at the formal launching of the dialogue). Copies of the literature can be obtained from the Ministry of Trade or can contact Margaret Roudette at the Ministry of Trade at the Financial Center in Roseau.