Caricom needs a new economic model — Jagdeo

Jan 10, 2010 News

As we enter into a New Year — 2010 — one wonders what will be the future of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), since there is dissatisfaction in many quarters about the regional grouping, especially at this time when hundreds of Guyanese and other CARICOM nationals were forced to leave Barbados, another CARICOM state, following the expiration of the new immigration policy introduced by Prime Minister David Thompson.

Thompson announced in June that nationals who entered his country prior to December 31 2005 and remained for more than eight years without having regularised their status were allowed to stay on condition that they meet the requirements.

A large number failed and were kicked out of the 166 square mile island and, as a result, hundreds of families were disrupted and business and entertainment houses complain that they are losing, because those who departed were big spenders.

It is also reported that the Antiguan government has been dealing harshly with CARICOM nationals, especially Guyanese and Jamaicans, and there are complaints that some of them have been hounded down by immigration and other law enforcement officers at ungodly hours. Of course this does not auger well for CARICOM and regional integration.

The CARICOM Community was established in August 1973 as the Treaty of Chaguaramas with the English-speaking Caribbean. In 1995, the Dutch-speaking territory of Suriname joined and in 2002 the French-speaking country of Haiti did likewise. There are now 15 member states of CARICOM.

The whole idea was for regional economic integration and cooperation, but it seems as though there are far too many obstacles in achieving this goal.

One of the concerns is that Barbados does not recognise economic citizenship, which is being touted by some countries and, despite the CARICOM Single Market, a few countries trade with countries outside the region.

The free movement of skilled workers, which include sport persons, artists, media professionals, musicians, accountants, lawyers, doctors, teachers, seems not to be given the recognition it deserves and it seems as if some governments do not observe the terms and conditions of the Treaty.

The outgoing Chairman of CARICOM, Bharrat Jagdeo, who is also the President of Guyana, and a Russian-trained economist, is seeking international support for a new economic model for the region.

He told Commonwealth leaders in Port of Spain during the recent Summit that the region is suffering severe setbacks since its two major financial sources — tourism and the financial sector — have been seriously affected by the economic downturn.

He articulated that there is no way that the region can build without a change in the economic model. This change, the Guyana leader, who is also the Head of the Regional Economic Task Force, said is urgently needed.

Jagdeo won the support of United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon, and heads of several multilateral financial institutions, who will attend the next meeting of CARICOM leaders, when the economic model will be fully discussed. The conference takes place in March in Dominica.

The Guyanese leader, who will have to demit office next year as president of Guyana, has been the main advocate for funding for small states to combat climate change.

Under the new Constitution of Guyana, the Head of Government cannot serve more than two terms, and Jagdeo’s second term in office will end next year.

West Indians have always wanted to work in harmony and, after the breakup of the West Indies Federation, which led to independence in 1962 for Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, in July 1965 the Caribbean Free Trade Area (CARIFTA) was established by the so called four big countries Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana and Barbados. In 1973, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) was established by the English-speaking Caribbean.

Some critics feel that very little has been achieved by CARICOM since its establishment 36 years ago. It is said that the University of the West Indies (UWI) and the West Indies cricket team have brought strong regional unity and it is hoped that every effort will be made not only by the political leaders but by organisations and groups for more integration. (Hoovers)