by Emmanuel H. Joseph
Government Information Service
Representatives of the private and public sectors in Dominica engaged in a very important seminar on Friday, 26th March, 2010 designed to maximise the effectiveness of the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME) arrangements in Dominica and the rest of the Organisation of East Caribbean States (OECS) countries.
Director of trade Dr. Eisenhower Douglas explained that seminar was a continuation of an exercise which began late last year. He further explained what the expected outcomes of the consultation are:
 Director of trade,
Dr. Eisenhower Douglas
“We are looking specifically at the operations of the Caribbean Single Market and Economy and how the OECS countries are participating and benefitting from the CSME: how they can make better use of the CSME arrangements, what are their constraints, are these constraints internally generated or are they externally inspired. The question really is we have a Caribbean Single Market and Economy, how can we, in the OECS countries Dominica included, can make better use of the arrangements?”
Former Prime Minister of Barbados Owen Arthur is heading a consortium set up by CARICOM to undertake a consultancy to support the integration of Belize and the OECS and CARICOM. Mr. Arthur explained that the region is under obligation to engage the Lesser Developed Countries (LDC) as enshrined in the agreement.
“The region is under a commitment to put in place a programme of special and preferential treatment for the Lesser Developed Countries so that the single economy and the single market can become a means by which countries like Dominica look to for their development. In so doing, the Caribbean Single Market and Economy itself can lead to a process by which the disparities that exist, to begin with, can be removed.”
 Former Prime Minister of
Barbados, Owen Arthur
Mr. Arthur went on to say that there needs to be a movement from word to action.
“It is a commitment in broad principle but the programme has to be developed. While the community is there in the treaty, the programme of special and preferential treatment for the LDC’s has never been conceived nor put in place. This consultancy is the first step in that process of giving effect to the promissory note that the region has asked the LDC’s to hold; that they should fit into the CSME on terms that lead to the development and the removal of the disparities.”
The one day session was convened at the conference room of the National Development Foundation of Dominica. |
