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COTED Confabulation…CARICOM Heads concerned about non-implementation of some council decisions – SG
The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Heads of Government are concerned that some of their decisions have not been complied with.
This message was conveyed by the community’s Secretary-General, Irwin LaRocque, during
CARICOM’s Secretary-General, Irwin LaRocque
the opening of the Forty-Fourth Meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) at the Pegasus Hotel in Georgetown, last week.
The COTED is responsible for the promotion of trade and economic development of CARICOM. In particular, it is required to oversee the development, operation and implementation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME).
The CSME is an arrangement among the CARICOM States for the creation of a single enlarged economic space through the removal of restrictions resulting in the free movement of goods, services, people, capital and technology.
Secretary General La Rocque informed the council that the CSME is the foundation for spurring vibrant regional growth and development. He used the occasion to remind the attendees of the important role they play in the successful implementation of the CSME.
He emphasised the need for consolidation and further development of the regime.
“The conference of the Heads of Government has been reviewing (CSME) and noted the significant progress of its implementation particularly with respect to its legal and institutional measures and mechanisms to support the free movement of goods, services, skills and cross-border establishment of businesses.
Our leaders expressed concerns that some of their decisions have not been complied with. They lamented the fact that some of our organs and bodies have failed to meet to consider critical aspects of the CSME. Items remain much too long on the agenda of the councils.”
He said, also, that Heads of Government have recognised the need for consultative mechanisms and addressing capacity constraints at the national level.
“The observation comes against the backdrop of the slow pace in addressing some of the elements of the CSME. We have been discussing issues such as Government procurement and basic contingent rights for a decade or more without concluding on the matter.
“And there are aspects of the free movement of skills regime and market access for specific products that require urgent decision.
“Even as the council seeks to address these issues, it faces the challenge of non-compliance with its decisions. The basis of our integration movement is its rules-based nature, therefore, failure to adhere to the rules which includes compliance with decisions poses a threat to the creditability of our community,” Ambassador LaRocque lamented.
The meeting of the council comes at a time when member states seek ways to enhance growth. The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has already indicated in its annual review that several countries experienced lower rates of growth last year.
It is the view of the Ambassador that the onus is on COTED to make the required decisions, and determine the actions to be taken to fulfil the obligations and agree on timelines for implementation – which members must all adhere to.
“Yes, we’ve done a lot. But we must do better. The Private Sector is asking for us to do better. The people of the region are asking us to do better. You can send a clear signal of the determination to make that difference by reaching an agreement on the regional policy for micro, small and medium enterprises.
“It is an opportunity to open the way for the smaller entrepreneurs to benefit from our single market.”
He also emphasised the importance of the council in considering the various international developments that have taken place in recent times which will have a major effect on the region’s external trading relationships.
One of these developments, the SG said, is the United Kingdom (UK)’s decision to exit the European Union (BREXIT).
“Both parties are among our major trading partners. The council will have to take a decision which will allow the region to seek at a minimum, to ensure that existing markets to the UK continues after the BREXIT process in completed. “
This is important he noted since the UK market absorbs more than 22 percent of the region’s overall exports to the EU.
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