Regional integration vital – St. Kitts and Nevis Minister

Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis  (SKNIS): Honourable Lindsay Grant, Minister of International Trade, Industry and Commerce and Consumer Affairs underscored the importance of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Single Market and Economy (CSME) regional integration initiative, noting that it is vital for CARICOM Member States.

The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis, through the Ministry of International Trade, Industry, Commerce and Consumer Affairs, is a proud participant in the regional project named Students Engaging the CSME through Field Promotion,” he said, adding that the European Union (EU) funded project allows for tertiary level students from all participating member states of the CSME to visit another CSME Member State to assess its operation, while engaging the public and private sector stakeholders.

Speaking at the Students Engaging The CSME Through Field Promotion closing ceremony in St. Kitts and Nevis last week, Minister Grant referred to the Federation’s participation shortly after the programme was implemented.

St. Kitts and Nevis would have benefited from this project in 2009 when 25 students participated in the field study in Saint Lucia,” Minister Grant said.  “During the very same year, St. Kitts and Nevis hosted 25 students from Barbados to undertake a similar exercise.”

He stated that another phase of the CSME field study has been reintroduced this year and said during this phase St. Kitts and Nevis agreed to host the delegation of students from St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

The International Trade Minister made mention of the students who are expected to travel to Trinidad and Tobago shortly to participate in the CSME project.

They are currently being engaged in briefing session with the ministry of International Trade to prepare them for this important assignment so as to enable them to make a comparative analysis of the implementation process of the CSME in both St. Kitts & Nevis and Trinidad and Tobago,” he said.

Minister Grant said the youths within the CARICOM Region had a “critical role” to play in the success of the Regional integration movement as this field study offered that opportunity for the participants, allowing them to obtain first-hand experience of the opportunities and challenges which the CSME represented.

This undertaking, he said, was quite relevant as it helped to dispel the myth by many that the CSME did not afford Member States benefit.

It is important to note that too often the CSME is not necessarily understood and appreciated and you, the younger generation, should be the ones to lead in the education process and to help to dispel these very said rumors,” he said.

Charleton Edwards, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of International Trade, said that Regional integration was very important.

“In a globalised environment, coming together, pulling your resources together becomes critical for our survival,” he said. “The element of competition creeps in because of the dynamic nature of globalisation and of course we have to subscribe to the rules-based system World Trade Organisation (WTO).”

He said what could be done to ensure that there was a strong and vibrant integration movement was to make sure that everyone understood the rules of the game.

We must also understand special attributes that are available in the Region.”

The Permanent Secretary said it was for us as people in the Region to begin to embrace and understand what globalisation meant to us and how we intended to integrate as a people to make sure that there was growth and prosperity in the Region.