Community introspection and reform fitting – Minister A. J. Nicholson

There is great expectation across the Region that the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) could be fashioned into a vehicle that is rules-based, action-oriented and equitable for all Member States.

This was the view articulated by the Hon. Arnold J, Nicholson, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Jamaica, and Chairman of the Council for Trade and Economic Development  (COTED) at the opening ceremony of the Meeting Thursday morning.

Minister Nicholson spoke of issues of vital importance to Regional integration on the Meeting’s agenda and underscored that it was vital that the decisions taken be rooted in collective understanding that the objectives of the Community for improved standards of living and work must be realised for the Region’s populace.

It is essential that the outcome of this meeting help to restore public confidence and trust in the capacity of our regional endeavour to promote accelerated economic development and convergence and be non-discriminatory, he told delegates at the Pegasus Hotel.

Minister Nicholson added that it was necessary for COTED’s deliberations to promote the development of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) with equal emphasis on enhancing the production, marketing and export of goods and services.

And so I submit to you that it is fitting that the Community is engaged in a process of introspection and reform, aimed ultimately at ensuring that the regional integration movement becomes more effective, efficient and dynamic.

Those objectives, he pointed out, were at the heart of the five-year Strategic Plan for the Community. Four of the eight integrated strategic priorities fell squarely to the COTED for implementation, he noted. The priorities, which include building economic, environmental and technological resilience which were consistent with the policy positions of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in other fora, where it was recognised that “SIDS constantly had to recoil from shocks, claw back from lost ground and regain forward momentum”.

And so, essential to the building of resilience is the formulation of a plan for the effective implementation of the Regional Framework for Growth and Development. This is a task which this Council cannot treat lightly. It is of paramount importance to securing the increased growth and economic viability of the Region through enhanced participation in trade at the Regional and international levels In this regard, I would wish to see the Council focus increased attention on the Regional services regime through the creation of a Special COTED on Services.

The COTED Chair also referred to the further contemplation of the role played by the Regional private sector in driving economic growth and development.