CARICOM Institutions Need to Collaborate

CSME makes collaboration within Caricom most urgent
Monday October 29 2007
Source: Sun- St Kitts & Nevis

Caricom Secretary-General Edwin W. Carrington told the inaugural meeting of Heads of Caricom Institutions in Georgetown last Thursday that the need for a collaborative approach between all Community institutions has become more pressing with the launch of the Caricom Single Market (CSME) and the goal of establishing the framework for the Single Economy by 2008.

He added that the efficient functioning of the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME) in the dynamic global environment would require a more effective harnessing of the institutions and agencies of the Community.

The major objective of this first encounter of the Community’s institutions, therefore, must be a frank exchange of views on the broad vision for the Community and on the contribution that its institutions could make towards achieving that vision,” the secretary-general said.

The two-day meeting will examine issues of more efficient financing of Community institutions, and respective work programmes with a view to developing synergies, pursuing common goals and avoiding duplication.

The secretary-general expressed the hope that the “landmark event” would become a “biennial event and a forum for continuous dialogue and consequent concerted action.”

CSME Officials Uninformed

Uninformed officials a problem for CSME office
Source: Nation - Barbados
Published on: 10/22/07.

HIGH INSURANCE PREMIUMS, high interest rates on loans and inadequate information on the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) – due in part to uninformed public officials – are just some of the complaints reaching the CSME Unit's office for attention.

He also criticised some public officers whom he accused of often retarding the CSME process due to inadequate information on the subject.

"The CSME process is being frustrated by uninformed public sector officers who have inadequate information on the entire process," he said during an Association of Certified Chartered Accountants forum on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) at Sherbourne Conference Centre on Friday.

In outlining what the Barbados-based unit would do to support SMEs, Forte cited discussions on a financial services agreement which would help facilitate information-trading on the creditworthiness of Caribbean entrepreneurs as they moved through the region.

"Without that arrangement it is possible that people with bad credit history could move cross-border and corrupt our financial sector," Forte warned.

Antigua & Barbuda Fiance Minister calls for more IMF Support

CARICOM wants more support from IMF/World Bank

Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation - Barbados
Tuesday, 23 October 2007

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has called on the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank to pay closer attention to the needs of the region in respect of its ability to respond to its debt challenges.

Antigua and Barbuda's Finance and Economy Minister Dr Errol Cort, speaking on behalf of the region, said the international community had "a moral obligation to provide financing for adaptation and mitigation efforts in developing countries including Small Island Developing States".

Addressing the IMF/World Bank Board of Governors meeting, Cort said there was a need for specific interventions to address the issue of crime and violence in the Caribbean. "The Caribbean Community urges the Bank to rethink its approach to crime and violence and to recognise it as an urgent development issue.

"As a first step, the Bank could convene all the development partners to review the findings of the 2007 UN-World Bank study on Crime and Violence in the Caribbean and identify areas of partnership on the regional security plan."

Cort welcomed the region-wide research and outreach activities being undertaken by the IMF and the World Bank, especially in support of the full establishment of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME).

He also stressed the role of the international financial institutions in assisting the Caribbean to reposition itself to thrive in the global economy is critical "We call on the Bank and the Fund to demonstrate a greater awareness of, and sensitivity to, the significant debt challenges facing many Caribbean countries, primarily precipitated by the vulnerabilities associated with small island economies. "In this regard, we encourage the Bank to be more creative in developing instruments to specifically assist middle income countries that do not qualify for IDA funding, but continue to experience significant development challenges as a result of their high debt overhang," he added. Cort also stressed the Caribbean region's strong support for the operationalisation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Adaptation Fund.

CARICOM Office in Haiti

Caricom office to re-open in Haiti

Source: Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation - Barbados

Friday, 19 October 2007

President René Préval is expected to deliver the feature address at the re-opening of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Representational Office in Haiti on Friday, according to a CARICOM statement issued here.

It said that the ceremony will take place at the new office in the heart of the capital, Port au Prince and that the Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Finance of Barbados Senator Tyrone Barker will represent Prime Minister Owen Arthur, the present CARICOM Chairman.

CARICOM Secretary General Edwin Carrington and Dennis Robert, who is representing the Ambassador of Canada to Haiti, will also address the function. "The CARICOM Representational Office (CRO) is being re-opened with the support of the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), three years after it was closed following the interruption of democratic governance in 2004," the CARICOM statement said. "The office was then located in the Embassy of The Bahamas and had been established at that time with the support of the government of the Kingdom of Norway.

The statement said that Ambassador Earl Huntley, a St. Lucian diplomat and administrator with wide experience, will be in charge of the CRO. CARICOM said that the CRO is being established to facilitate more speedily the integration of Haiti into the regional integration grouping "with particular emphasis on the Single Market and Economy; identify and mobilise domestic, financial and other resources; promote relations with the media; and undertake public education programmes".

"The ratification by the Haitian Parliament of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas including the Single Market and the Economy and the re-opening of the Representational Office within two weeks of each other augur well for the quickening of the pace of the fuller integration of Haiti into CARICOM," Carrington said.

Deputy Secretary-General of CARICOM, Ambassador Lolita Applewhaite, said that CIDA's assistance regarding the CRO is part of the wider CARICOM Trade and Competitiveness Project.

"Among the goals of the project is to assist Haiti to prepare itself for full participation in the CSME. This is being done within the context of the wider goal to provide more and better opportunities for the people of CARICOM to participate in and benefit from the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME).

"It also should enable all CARICOM citizens to understand, participate and actively engage in economic activities," she added. CMC

Implementation of Article 164 of Revised Treaty

Regional officials meet to discuss sensitive industries in the CSME
Source: Caribbean Net News

Published on Friday, October 19, 2007
Print Version
CASTRIES, St Lucia

The sensitive industries of the less developed countries (LDCs) within the CARICOM region, will top the agenda of a meeting of Trade and Private Sector Officials from these territories, when they meet in Saint Lucia on October 22-23.

The meeting, which is being hosted by the OECS Secretariat in collaboration with the CARICOM Secretariat, will focus specifically on Industries approved for Article 164 treatment under the revised Treaty of Chaguramas.

This article allows the LDCs of CARICOM, including Belize and Haiti, to submit a collective request to the CARICOM Council on Trade and Economic Development (COTED), to suspend as a “temporary measure” preferential treatment usually granted to products of other CARICOM member states, in order to promote the development of a specific sensitive industry in the LDCs. The two day meeting will examine the overall implementation of Article 164. This will include a review of the procedures for granting Article 164 treatment, the current criteria for determining the products and industries which qualify for such treatment, the types of measures which can be used to implement Article 164, as well a common system for monitoring and evaluation of the programme.

The government of Belize is expected to make a presentation on the category of industries currently approved by the COTED for Article 164 treatment. Belize will also put forward its proposal for broadening the criteria as well as the industries which currently qualify for Article 164 treatment. An OECS official explains Article 164 as very important to the operation and functioning of LDCs within the CARICOM Single Market.

“It not only operates as a special and differential treatment mechanism for OECS member states, Haiti and Belize, but more significantly ensures that certain industries that are deemed important for the industrial development of these countries are given temporary preferential treatment within the Community."

The official says the continued implementation of this provision is critical to facilitating the operation of the LDC’s productive sectors and their adjustment to competition in the CARICOM Single Market and Economy. At the end of the two day meeting trade and private sector officials expect to agree on a plan of action that addresses and provides common principles, standards and solutions to the major implementation issues regarding Article 164.

Once finalised, some concrete proposals on how Article 164 should be preserved and extended will be tabled to the next meeting of the Council of Trade and Economic Development. This meeting is scheduled for November of this year.

Regional System of Vocational Qualifications

Caribbean Vocational Qualification to be Launched in Jamaica

Caribbean PressReleases.com - Christ Church,Barbados

Press Release from : CARICOM, Guyana

Oct. 18, 2007

Arrangements for the issue of the Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ) have been streamlined and the first launch by a National Training Agency is expected to take place in Jamaica by the HEART Trust/NTA on Friday, 19 October at 10:00 am at the Terra Nova Hotel.

The CVQ will facilitate the movement of artisans and other skilled persons in the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME). This qualification will be accessible to persons already in the workforce as well as students in secondary schools across the Caribbean Region. Those already in the work force will be required to attend designated centres for assessment.

The Caribbean Association of National Training Agencies (CANTA) has been streamlining arrangements for the issue of the CVQ in post-secondary institutions and workplaces over the past year. In addition, arrangements have been put in place with the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) for the award of the CVQ to students in secondary schools, as mandated by the Fifteenth Meeting of the CARICOM Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD-XV).

Speaking at the Sixteenth Meeting of the COHSOD held in Georgetown, Guyana on 10 -12 October 2007, CARICOM Secretary-General, H.E. Edwin W. Carrington said, “this development will facilitate the movement of a large number of wage earners in the CSME and is one which our Heads of Government have eagerly awaited.”

In explaining the rationale for the introduction of the CVQ, Ms. Myrna Bernard, Director of Human and Social Development in the CARICOM Secretariat said, “One of the main pillars of the CSME is the free movement of skilled persons throughout the Region.”

She explained that, “the issues of skill development through Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and the portability of qualifications, have assumed renewed importance in positioning the Region for competitive participation in the New Economy.”

“It is recognised that in order to achieve this, there must be a common system and understanding of quality assurance issues at all levels of Education and Training, including TVET,” Ms. Bernard clarified further.

Ms. Bernard added that “the institutionalisation of a regional system of Vocational Qualifications is a crucial element in facilitating the free movement of workers while also contributing to the enhancement of skills training in both institutional as well as on-the job settings.”

In response to a mandate from COHSOD XI in October 2004, CANTA reached an agreement on, and documented a Regional Process for Workforce Training, Assessment and Certification leading to the award of the Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ). The Report was presented to COHSOD XV in October 2006.

Contact: piu@caricom.org

CARICOM Skilled National Ammendment Act Debate - Antigua & Barbuda

CSME consultants hold talks in Antigua

Source: AntiguaSun - St' John's,Antigua and Barbuda

Published: October 17, 2007

Consultations with stakeholders on the scope of the Caricom Single Market (CSM) as it relates to the fulfilment of Antigua and Barbuda’s obligations began yesterday at the Multi-purpose Cultural and Exhibition Centre.

The Industry and Commerce Division of the Ministry of Finance and Economy in collaboration with the Caricom Secretariat is hosting the three-day Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME ) Country Mission.

These consultations come at a time when the government is preparing to fully implement the CSME by next year.

CSME will also be one of the issues of discussion this Wednesday when the House of Representatives meet to debate the Caribbean Community Skilled National Amendment Act 2007.

Thelma Joseph, operations manager of the CSME based in Barbados said that each member state must harmonise everything across the region to avoid people from becoming frustrated when they try to travel and work within the common economic space.

According to her, the government of Antigua and Barbuda has demonstrated its commitment to CSME and the broader process of regional integration.

“It has maintained active participation at all levels including focal points while participating in CSME related meetings,” Joseph said.

“Therefore we all have the responsibility for guiding the implementation of CSME and ensuring its enabling environment.”

Joseph said that one of the roles of public sector officials is to help to facilitate that movement and to ensure that everything is place to allow the CSME to function. She said that the government of Antigua and Barbuda has declared full compliance with most of its legal obligations required to operate the single market.

The Caricom Single Market (CSM) is already in place in Antigua and Barbuda as well as the other member states of Caricom.For Antigua and Barbuda, there are still some outstanding areas that need to be implemented especially for the free movement of skills individuals.

“CSME is not an event, CSME is in a state of evolution, it is a process that will take time, and it calls for changes in attitudes and mind sets,” Joseph said.

Steven Mac Andrew, specialist on movement of skills and labour said that Antigua and Barbuda had fully implemented the free movement of graduates, artistes, media workers, sportsmen and musicians in January 2002 but subsequently it was discovered that there was a flaw in the law. There was need for the country to introduce the necessary law in order to implement the free movement of skills nationals in Antigua and Barbuda.

“My understanding that the act has its first reading and that it is on the agenda for the sitting of Parliament coming Wednesday,” Mac Andrew said.

US$ Slide - Cause for Concern

US dollar 'a cause for concern'
Source: The Nation Newspaper - Bridgetown,St. Michael,Barbados
Published : October 15, 2007

THE AMERICAN DOLLAR'S slide against major currencies has serious implications for Barbados.

The caution has come from Barbados Private Sector Association (BPSA) chairman Ben Arrindell, who said although mergers and acquisitions may be the issues most talked about, the United States dollar's performance was just as important.

He told Barbados Business Authority that as the US dollar depreciates in relation to the pound sterling and the euro, prices continue to rise for local businesses that import goods from countries outside the US.

Speaking during a break in the opening session of the Public/Private Sector Consultation on Economic and Related Issues on Friday, Arrindell noted that even when companies purchased goods directly from the US, costs might still be high because American suppliers may buy their raw materials from other countries.

He said that these challenges were not impossible to face since the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) would be the ideal platform from which to fight these challenges.

"There is strength in moving forward as a region," he said, noting that CSME would enhance member territories' economies of scale.

No timetable for CARICOM Passport in Jamaica

Caribbean Community passport deadline derailed

published: Sunday October 14, 2007

Source Jamaica Gleaner

Jamaica's deadline to introduce the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) passports by year end has been derailed, and no timetable has been set regarding when the country will join other member states in implementing the passport regime.

The introduction of the regional travel document should have taken place earlier this year, but was postponed because of preparations for Cricket World Cup, which the region hosted.

In a previous interview, Robert Miller, head of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy Unit at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, had said the new documents would have come into effect by December 31.

But this will not be so, according to Gilbert Scott, permanent secretary in the Ministry of National Security, which has responsibility for the Passport Office.

"A new passport is the least of my priorities right now," Scott tells The Sunday Gleaner when pressed as to why the date was no longer feasible. "I have other important things to deal with."
He, however, noted that while, Jamaica was committed to meeting its regional obligations, the matter of the regional passport was not at the top of the ministry's agenda.

"Our primary interest here is the security of our borders and the security of travel documents," states Scott. "The CARICOM passport in of itself does not guarantee or enhance the security of the document and our concern right now is to move to a more secure document, and that takes time and research," he adds.

Regionalism

The CARICOM passport is a document, which is being issued in accordance with an agreed format for intra-regional and extra-regional travel.

Heads of government agreed to the issuance of this passport by member countries as a symbol of regionalism. The introduction of the CARICOM passport is also one of the measures to promote hassle-free travel for CARICOM nationals.

Suriname was the first country to issue the CARICOM passport on January 7, 2005, followed by St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and St. Kitts later that year.

Jamaica / Guyana Rice Issue Resolved

Rice tiff with Jamaica thrashed out
Source: Starbroek News
Saturday, October 13th 2007

Jamaica is to continue to import rice from Guyana and officials from the island nation have no intention of importing extra regional rice at the expense of CARICOM and Guyana supplies.

This is according to a press release from the Ministry of Agriculture yesterday. The decision came after a meeting between officials of Guyana and Jamaica on Thursday after a tiff between the two countries over the importation of rice and Jamaica expressing the intention of importing from the United States.

The two countries have argued about rice in the past, with Jamaican officials accusing suppliers in Guyana of reducing sales to regular markets on finding higher prices elsewhere. Persaud had vowed to resort to CARICOM to block Jamaica's bid to import rice from the United States.

On Thursday, Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud and Karl Samuda, Minister of Industry, Commerce and Investment in Jamaica and Michael Stern, Minister of State within the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Investment of Jamaica held a meeting to discuss the state of the Guyana-Jamaica rice export trade and in response to an earlier announcement by Minister Samuda that rice would be imported into Jamaica from Louisiana, USA.

"Minister Samuda after discussions reported that the information that was presented by Minister Persaud was contrary to what was communicated to him," the release said.

The release said that Samuda also confirmed that the supply of rice from Guyana to Jamaica in 2007 was in excess of the 2006 amount. It said that the increase in demand for Guyana's rice was due to a number of factors including the drop in the import level of paddy from the US to be milled in Jamaica.

The Minister welcomed the Jamaican Government's understanding of the position of Guyana; its strong commitment to buying rice from Guyana and not importing rice from outside of the region including the United States.

The release said that the two ministers agreed to improve the lines of communication through regular reports from both sides to avoid miscommunication.

Minister Persaud also communicated that there are rice producers in Guyana who are interested in joint venture arrangements with the Jamaican investors which would assist in the securing of supplies for a growing market for Guyana's rice in Jamaica and to promote value-added activities in Guyana, the release said.

Minister Stern will be visiting Guyana next week to familiarize himself with the rice industry in Guyana.

Minister Persaud said that the Jamaican market was a valuable one and Guyana is poised to increase its market share. Already, Guyana has supplied 25 per cent more rice to Jamaica for 2007 compared with the corresponding period for 2005 and 2006.

He stated that the projected production for the second crop is approximately 141,000 tonnes and that there will be enough rice to meet market commitments. The projected distribution is as follows: export to EU - 40,000 tonnes; local consumption - 30,000; feed - 10,000; available to CARICOM - 60,000.

The release said that both Ministers on Thursday met with importers of rice, where they held candid discussions on some challenges facing the Guyana-Jamaica rice trade and a number of recommendations were put forward in terms of trading arrangements.

According to the release, Persaud gave the assurance that the kinks in trading arrangements will be addressed and directed the General Manager of the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) to follow up these issues so that they can be resolved early.

Globalization and CSME - Mergers inevitable

Mergers for survival

Nation News - Bridgetown,St. Michael,Barbados

Published on: 10/13/07

THERE'S ABSOLUTELY nothing wrong with company acquisitions or mergers.

In fact, president of the Barbados Private Sector, Ben Arrindell, thinks it's the way to go forward as Barbados continues to battle in a globalised business environment.

"These are acceptable, and very often, necessary processes for stimulating growth in a business and, if properly planned and executed, can be of benefit to shareholders, employees and customers," Arrindell told the opening session of the 8th Annual Private/Public Sector Consultation with Government at Sherbourne Conference Centre yesterday.

The private sector chief noted that the theme of the consultation, Safeguarding The Future; Engendering Global Resilience, had major relevance for Barbados.

He noted that in the face of globalisation and the pending competition from regional and international companies, Barbadian businesses had two options.

"They can continue as is, and try to compete directly with a larger competitor that may have advantage of economies of greater scale and financial resources, or they could grow their businesses through mergers and acquisitions, or entering into joint venture arrangements with other local or regional companies in order to become large and financially strong enough to be able to compete effectively.

"The reality is that with globalisation and the creation of the CSME, mergers, acquisitions and joint ventures are inevitable," Arrindell concluded.

And he noted that in some cases such a move could be the only means available to achieve sustainable growth in businesses.

"I am a firm believer that more of our businesses, large, small, and medium-sized, need to embrace joint venturing as a way to take their business to the next level."

Proper regulations

But the professional accountant warned that a proper regulatory environment would have to be created to ensure that activities took place in a manner that was fair and transparent, and protected the rights of shareholders, employees, and consumers.

Regarding the private sector, Arrindell said his body was still very concerned with many Barbadian products, which were export ready, still not meeting European Union standards.

"We urge the Government to speedily put the necessary framework in place," he added.

Regarding the country's social partnership, he said it needed to be made more effective, and to be rejuvenated so as to continue going forward.

Book on Investing in CARICOM

New attempt to guide Caribbean business investments

Source: Caribbean 360.com
LONDON, England, October 12, 2007

A new book intends to be a comprehensive guide towards investment in the Caribbean

A new publication guiding investors through the maze of business opportunities in the Caribbean has been launched in London.

Published CaribInvest (West Indies) Ltd it focuses on the newly implemented Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME) explaining what that means in real terms to the businessman, government, the traveller, and service providers.

The company has also announced a companion trade and consumer exposition.

Speaking at the official launch at the Barbados High Commission in London this week, Prof Bishodat Persaud, a Caribbean academic and international development specialist said the book had a "sense of completeness".

"It is soundly written and not just promotion oriented or gimmicky...... [an] effort to put the Caribbean on the world's business map."

He saw the publication as a "projection of the Caribbean", saying there was a need for many more such works."We do need more projections, especially because we are small and have difficulty getting the attention of international investors".

Trade show

CaribInvest also announced its intention to convene a trade and consumer show - CaribbeanExpo 2008 - in London.

Divided into five sections, the publication provides a comprehensive overview of the Caribbean.
Section one provides an overview of the Caribbean, its location, its people and cultural heritage as well as the regional governance structure.

Section two provides the answer to the question: Why the Caribbean? A range of factors are touched upon including the region's environmental resource base, its geographical location, accessibility etc.

Section three is aimed specifically at the potential visitor. It offers a sample of the uniqueness of the region and what makes the Caribbean a truly unique destination. It also provides information which could be valuable in the design of joint marketing strategies for the Caribbean tourism product.

Section four identifies some of the possible investment opportunities which exist in the region and for which investment capital is being sought.

The final section provides a brief overview of the macro-operational framework for investment in the Caribbean.

The Appendices provide valuable information which will be of use to both the traveller and the potential investor, alike.

The book goes on sale at the end of October 2007 in Europe for £20.00 plus postage and elsewhere for US$40.00 plus postage.

Respect border Ruling

CCL urges Guyana, Suriname to respect border ruling

Rickey Singh Source: Jamaica Observer Thursday, October 11, 2007

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - The Caribbean Congress of Labour (CCL) is urging both Suriname and Guyana to abide by the ruling of an international tribunal on delimitation of their maritime boundaries and to avoid any unpleasant developments.

The regional umbrella body of some 30 trade union affiliates across the English and Dutch-speaking Caribbean countries, was reacting to last month's unanimous award of an International Law of the Sea Tribunal that substantially favoured the case presented by Guyana.

But Suriname's questioning of the tribunal's judgement led Guyana last week to formally submit the entire text to the United Nations Security Council in order, it said, to avoid "misrepresentations" that could have unnecessary negative consequences.

The CCL, which maintains an operational secretariat in Barbados, welcomed the tribunal's ruling as "an achievement for the rule of law". It expressed the hope that the judgement contributes to "good neighbourly relations", noting that the workers of both countries "have always shared cordial and close relationships".

Consequently, the CCL has also urged workers' support in encouraging "respect for the procedures and adherence to the international rule of law" to discourage "triumphalism and agitation as being counter-productive....

"Especially at this time," it added, "when several countries of Caricom have signed onto the principles of free movement of goods, services and skills in pursuit of a CSME."

Jamaica / Guyana Rice Issue

Rice dispute with Jamaica can be resolved, says Guyana's president
Published on Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Source: Caribbean Net News
Print Version

The issue of Jamaica deciding to import rice from the United States on the basis that Guyana is unable to meet its supply, can be resolved simply, according to Guyana's President Bharrat Jagdeo. “I think that the rice matter could easily be sorted out. I get the impression that Jamaica will respect CARICOM arrangements; they (Jamaica) said they asked around here before they took the decision to import there (US). We have some differences in views on that because on our side they are saying that they have the ability to supply the Jamaican market,” Jagdeo said. Jagdeo said Guyana must ensure that the new government of Jamaica understands the system.

“I thought that we had a settled mechanism, but with a new government, we need to ensure that they understand that the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) should be approached and should say whether there is enough rice to supply the market or whether we cannot supply at that point in time and therefore, we would offer the waiver,” Jagdeo said. Guyana is hopeful that it will be able to export 10,000 tonnes more of rice than last year. “Last year we exported something like 43,700 tonnes of rice to Jamaica. This year we are hoping to export 54,000 tonnes to Jamaica. So we will be 10.000 tonnes above of what we exported last year.

Price varies a bit but it’s an important issue and I think that there is enough goodwill in Jamaica to have this resolved at the level of our Ministers and officials.

Jamaica is an important market for Guyana,” Jagdeo emphasised. Guyana supplies about 50, 000 tonnes of rice to Jamaica while the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has granted Jamaica a waiver for the importation of 65, 000 tonnes of paddy to be milled in the country. This amounts to approximately 45, 000 tonnes of rice, which when combined with the amount exported from Guyana, totals about 80,000 tonnes