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.
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