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CARICOM SUPPLEMENT 2016
TRIED AND TRUE
Co-hosting this Summit symbolises Guyana’s continued commitment to integration, Foreign Minister says GUYANA’S co-hosting of the upcoming Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM symbolises a continued commitment to involvement in deliberations that support the processes and institutions of integration. This is the view of Guyana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Hon. Carl Greenidge, who was interviewed by the CARICOM Secretariat ahead of the 37th Heads of Government Meeting, held from July 4-6 in Georgetown, Guyana. The Conference of Heads of Government, also known as “The Conference”, is the supreme organ of the Caribbean Community. It provides policy direction, is the final authority for the conclusion of treaties on behalf of the Community, and is the authority for entering into relationships between the Community and international
organisations and states. THE SECOND TIME Guyana is co-hosting this Heads of Government Meeting with the CARICOM Secretariat. The Meeting will be chaired by the Prime Minister of Dominica. This is the second time Guyana will host a Meeting of CARICOM Heads of Government outside of the six-monthly rotation schedule of the chairmanship. The first was in 1995, when Dominica, as is the case this year, was unable to host the Meeting. Guyana’s commitment to CARICOM, Minister Greenidge said, was also manifested in fora such as the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR, in which it is the only CARICOM Member State). He noted that instead of promoting Guyana’s needs, priorities and preferences, the opportunity was seized to apprise the grouping of CARICOM’s
Meeting of CARICOM Heads of Government was being held “at a time when the Region finds itself in some turmoil or on the periphery of significant change.” He opined that the most significant challenge was the crisis in Venezuela, and the Community’s response to it. It was therefore important, he noted, that CARICOM Heads discuss this issue against the background of “what is appropriate? What are the rules? What are the obligations?” Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Carl Greenidge
main concerns. “That is part of the process of deepening our role in CARICOM. To the extent that we can participate in all these meetings and field stronger technical teams, we will be able to represent the Region more effectively,” Minister Greenidge said. He pointed out that the
AGENDA MATTERS During this two-day meeting, CARICOM Heads of Government will examine an agenda which includes issues pertaining to the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), regional security, correspondent banking, border issues, relations with the Dominican Republic, and the implications of the normalisation process between
the United States of America and Cuba. CARICOM Heads are expected to have an exchange of views on issues of hemispheric importance with Her Excellency Michelle Bachelet, President of the Republic of Chile. Minister Greenidge also touched briefly on the critical importance to CARICOM of the United Kingdom (UK)’s referendum on its membership in the European Union (EU). He posited that the outcome threatens a degree of uncertainty, if not destabilisation, in the trade and political relationships between the Region and its European partners. Noting that the EU and its European Development Fund (EDF) was the major source of concessionary grant financing for the Region, Minister Greenidge said what was decided about the future of the relations between the African, Caribbean and Pa-
cific (ACP) grouping and the EU would be very critical. The ACP, he pointed out, is an important body, being the only group that has a standing relationship with the North, with whom it negotiated periodically on a range of important issues. Between negotiations, there was a standing platform for addressing the difficulties that arose from implementing what was being negotiated. Minister Greenidge signalled Guyana’s interest in advancing discussions on the future of the grouping of ACP, based on an offer made by Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Chair of the ACP Eminent Persons Group, to brief CARICOM Heads on this issue. “We are going to make sure that the Heads take advantage of that offer, so that when they arrive at a position, it will be as fully informed as possible,” Minister Greenidge said.
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CARICOM SUPPLEMENT 2016
Speech by Prime Minister Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham at the 8th Meeting of the Heads of Government of the Commonwealth Caribbean held in Georgetown, Guyana from April 13-19, 1973 “... Secretary-General, Your Excellencies, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, Comrades: “GUYANA, today, through me, welcomes the Heads of Commonwealth Caribbean Governments, leaders of delegations and delegations themselves, to this the Eighth Heads of Government Conference of Commonwealth Caribbean countries. “There is a significant difference between this Conference and the last one that was held here in 1965, for, up to that time, such a Conference was exclusively attended by Heads of Governments of what, perhaps, were described as the “big four.” “It is, I think, even more significantly different from the initial meeting which was held in Port-of-Spain in 1963, exactly 10 years ago, where, as I understand it, the primary purpose was for a consultation. Having formulated our meetings since those times, today we meet here to make, as what has been described quite properly by the secretary-general, MOMENTOUS decisions. “During the course of the three or four days of this Conference, you will be called upon to examine an important document — in two parts, I understand — which seeks to establish a Caribbean Community, including a Common Market. If I am to believe the press reports over the past three or four days, there seems to have been a great deal of discussion, and I expect that in the tradition of the West Indies, there has been a great measure of compromise. “Debates, in this context, are necessary because we should want, when we will have completed our task, to be sure that we have taken into account the special circumstances of each country, and recognise the genuineness of the point of view of all of the countries involved. I want to take this opportunity of congratulating those who were involved in the meetings of the CARIFTA Council and of Attorneys-General for their stamina, for it is my knowledge that many of these meetings lasted into the wee hours of the morning. It is indeed a good thing that West Indians can be awake in the wee hours of the morning working rather than “sporting.” But, as during the course of your discussions over the last few days, so too during the course of our deliberations during the ensuing days, every effort will be made, and must be made, to accommodate every legitimate point of view. I should like to suggest that we must not, however, lose sight of the greater whole — the purpose for which we all came here — the task which is ours to perform. “I shall therefore ask that we be mindful of the fact that the eyes of the people whose destinies we are supposed to superintend are upon us as we meet during the course of the next three or four days. “We have come here, hopefully, and in conformity with our decisions taken at Chaguaramas in Trinidad last October, to put the finishing touches on certain regional agreements. We have come here to this Conference, I am sure, to work rather than to talk. “What are we seeking to establish? “As I understand it, it is not merely to create an increase of trade among ourselves, not merely to ensure that new factories spring up in various territories. We have come here to establish a regimen — an economic regimen — out of which will arise an integrated development plan for the Caribbean. “In the past, each one of us had tended to go his way and, in many cases, we have been competitive; and ruinously so. We have been exploited by our own division and our own chauvinism; but this Conference represents
recognition, or ought to represent recognition on our part, that unity is an absolute essential for the survival of the Caribbean in cricket as well as in politics and economics. “During the last decade or so, in the Caribbean, there has emerged a pattern of development with which we are all familiar. A number of industries have been set up, and this setting up of industries is usually followed by some most engaging statistics about growth rates and increase in national
our dignity and accepting, in perpetuity, an inferior status to those from whom we beg and expect the crumbs. “It is not without significance that during the Conference of Foreign Ministers of Non-Aligned Countries, held here in Georgetown during August of last year, that great emphasis was placed on the need for increased co-operation, in a meaningful manner, between the developing countries of the world for greater self-reliance, self-help
The late President Forbes Burnham
income per capita. But, we have witnessed, at the same time, what to some orthodox persons may seem to be a contradiction, in that very little impact has been made on the level of unemployment, and the masses have been left out of the mainstream, so to speak, of progress. “It is my fervent hope that what we are going into now is a period where not only will there be an integration of our economies, but also an integration of our planning techniques; planning techniques and goals which represent a decision on our part to own and control what is ours; taking decisions on our part for the setting up of the necessary mechanics whereby the masses can participate and, instead of sheer growth, have development, and look forward to the banishment of unemployment in the region. “In my opinion, the attainment of such objectives requires great effort. It calls for certain acts on our part, including the abandonment of our innate attitude of mendicancy — begging here and begging there — and hoping to pick up the crumbs that fall from the master’s table. Mendicancy, of course, can be temporarily satisfying, but it also calls for giving up our manhood; giving up
and resoluteness to depend primarily on our own devices and our own resources, natural and human. “Much emphasis was also placed on the fact that regional bodies, such as the one we are seeking to fashion and to perfect, would be one of the most effective instruments for ensuring, not only cooperation between the countries of the developing world, but the strengthening of the respective regions, which then become part of the greater whole, and which would enable the citizens of those countries to bargain from a position of strength, and also introduce a period of inter-dependence rather than dependence, which has been our experience, and, in many cases, our legacy. “We are a people prone to looking outside of our region, sometimes unnecessarily, for solutions to our problems, but in some cases, I think, our looking outside can give us an opportunity to learn telling and
welcome lessons. For instance, let us glance across the Atlantic and witness the enlargement and strengthening of the European Economic Community. Let us look farther east and see COMICON; let us travel back westwards and see the Central American Common Market; and let us cast our eyes southwards and see LAFTA, with its two subgroups, the Andean Group and the Rio de la Plata Group. Then let us ask ourselves, “Why it is that these various groups of nations — developing nations like ourselves — have seen fit to come together? “It is not my intention to indulge in polemics; it was merely my hope that, by attracting attention to what is happening in other parts of the world, the urgency of our deliberations and the importance of this Conference would come home more strikingly to us all. We in the Caribbean have a high rate of literacy. There are some of my colleagues in other parts of the developing world who compliment us on this high standard of literacy. But I sometimes wonder, however, whether we have not allowed our literacy to make us the greatest orators this side of heaven or hell. If one were to believe Milton’s Paradise Lost, then the devil is an adept orator. I am convinced that we can utilise our talents in grasping the opportunities which are before us, so as to effect an equitable distribution of the product of our labours, and bring to an end that dichotomy which we so often witness in the Caribbean, of the most beautiful homes a stone’s throw away from the dirtiest slums. In this endeavour which is ahead of us, though I am not leader of the Guyana delegation, but happen fortuitously to be Head of Government of Guyana, I would like, on the instructions of the leader of the delegation, to pledge every effort, on behalf of the government and people of Guyana, to assist in the achievement of these legitimate goals, and the channelling of our literacy and talents into more useful directions. “It is our belief and conviction in Guyana -- and I believe this belief and this conviction are shared by many of my colleagues here today —- that one of the concomitants of a seriously conceived regional structure is that the resources of the whole region belong to the peoples of the region. “The leader of the Jamaica delegation will speak for Jamaica, but I would say that the bauxite of Guyana and the copper and iron; the rich forests and our potential power from water are all the property, not only of the people of Guyana, but part of the property of the people of the Caribbean. Turn to page IV ►
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CARICOM SUPPLEMENT 2016
Heads of Government to tackle de-risking, BREXIT WHEN CARICOM Heads of Government meet here today, they will do so against the background of a number of threats to the Region’s financial and economic stability. Chief among these are the threats posed by international banks limiting or terminating their relationships with regional financial institutions, and the yet-to-be-determined implications of the British decision to leave the European Union (EU), a key partner in the Community’s development. The BREXIT vote has sent Britain and the rest of the world into a tailspin. The pound sterling fell in value to the lowest in 30 years, and international financial markets took a downturn as the implications hit home. The Caribbean is not immune from the potential fallout, and economists and politicians alike are assessing the situation. The majority of CARICOM member states are former colonies of Britain, which was a key ally of the Region within the EU. While some have adopted a wait-and-see stance, confident that any domino effect will not occur in the shortterm, others are predicting immediate consequences, and want the CARICOM member states to appreciate the value of regional integration and band firmly together to chart the way forward. The concerns range from a drop-off in arrivals in tourist-dependent member states such as Saint Lucia and Barbados, where the UK is a major source market; a decrease in development assistance; to effects on trade agreements the Region has with the EU. Interacting with journalists in Guyana at the weekend, CARICOM Secretary-General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, said that though the imminent breakaway was not on the agenda of the Meeting, it would undoubtedly be discussed tomorrow and on Wednesday at the Pegasus Hotel, in Georgetown. “We have to, of course, be concerned, because the United Kingdom is a significant player in the arrangements in the European Union in terms of a voice, that also being a Commonwealth country but a voice as well in the European Union and the fact that it is a significant contributor to the European Union and of course the budget of the European Development Fund,” the Secretary-General said on Saturday. Pointing to the strength of CARICOM’s relations with Britain and the EU, the Secretary-General said he did not anticipate any “diminishing of the relationship with the United Kingdom, or with the European Union in any way at all.” Assessing the situation shortly after the vote, Head of the Delegation of the European Union (EU) to the Eastern Caribbean Countries, OECS and CARICOM/ CARIFORUM, Ambassador Mikael Barfod, acknowledged that there could be some consequences for the Caribbean, such as re-
negotiations of trade deals with the United Kingdom (UK). Ambassador Barfod noted that the UK was a major trading partner for many CARICOM member states.
CORRESPONDENT BANKING From Prime Ministers, many of whom are their countries’ Finance Ministers, to
the heads of Regional banking institutions, the assessment of the de-risking scenario is that it is unfair; that the predictions about its impact on the Region are dire; and that the call to action is extremely urgent. De-risking is international banks’ withdrawal from their relationships with indigenous banks because of fears of money laundering and questionable sources of funds which would cause the international banks to receive heavy fines from their regulators. Regional banking institutions rely on such relationships in order to allow residents to conduct international financial transactions. The issue has been occupying the attention of regional policy-makers, following signals by international banks that they are unwilling to continue carrying the business of regional banks. Transfers of remittances, cheque payments, international trade and the facilitation of credit card settlements for local clients are among the areas that have been affected by de-risking. “If you want to take it to the extreme, you and I will not be able to shop in a supermarket, because the supermarket will not be importing the stuff we like to buy,” Deputy Governor of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB), Trevor Brathwaite told the Antigua Observer recently. “You and I will not even be able to buy shoes and clothes... cars, tyres and parts.” The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) quoted a November World Bank survey as saying that about 75 per cent of international banks have experienced a re-
duction in correspondent banking services, with the Caribbean being the worst affected. Reports are that eight financial institutions in Barbados, about seven in Jamaica, and five in Belize and others in Antigua and Barbuda, Montserrat and other member states have been affected by a termination of, or restriction in correspondent banking relationship. The Heads of Government, at their Intersessional Meeting held in February, decided to establish a high-level advocacy team headed by Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister, the Hon Gaston Browne. Prime Minister Browne’s mission is to represent the Community’s interest at all levels, including with the United Nations (UN), the World Trade Organisation (WTO), and the United States Congress. A Meeting has since been held with U.S. Treasury and State Department officials in April 2016 and the matter was also discussed with the UK Foreign Secretary. A report on the UN-Caribbean Public-Private Dialogue on Correspondent Banking held in Jamaica, also in April, was presented to the Meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) held in Georgetown later in the month. The Public-Private Dialogue brought together bankers in both the onshore and offshore sectors from the U.S. and the Caribbean, as well as central bankers and government officials from both parties. Trade Ministers at the COTED Meeting reiterated that the correspondent banking issue was a troubling one that was not limited to pure banking, but had trade and economic implications, and had the potential to
lead to an upsurge in illegalities. They also underscored that the threat was being made even as all CARICOM member states were compliant with all international financial regulations. The ministers agreed that a comprehensive, consistent and diplomatic offensive should be launched. The Trade Ministers also supported a Declaration of the Permanent Council of the Organisation of American States (OAS) that was tabled for adoption 30 March, 2016, at a Special Meeting summoned by the then Chair of the Permanent Council, Ambassador Ronald Sanders. The Declaration addressed the severe threat posed by the severing of Correspondent Banking relationships to the economic growth, social development and political stability of small economies. The Declaration also called for urgent action to ensure that banking regulations designed to foster transparency and accountability and prevent money laundering and terrorism financing do not create financial exclusion and economic decline of small economies by cutting off their access to international correspondent banking. The Heads know that there will be no easy solution to this matter. One solution proffered by Prime Minister Dean Barrow of Belize was the pooling of business to achieve “critical mass”, and to make it worthwhile for the correspondent banks which are weighing risks and returns. The governors of Regional Central Banks, and the Committee of Ministers of Finance on Correspondent Banking that the Heads of Government have established, will consider the modalities of that recommendation. Further action on correspondent banking will be determined by the reports presented to the Heads of Government during the two-day Conference. (CARICOM)
Burham’s speech... “Similarly, the leader of the Trinidad and Tobago delegation may at some stage speak for Trinidad and Tobago, but I would imagine that in the same way as the huge natural resources of Guyana belong to the region, he may wish to assure us that the huge oil resources of Trinidad and Tobago also belong to the region. “But how can we allow ourselves, in some cases, to be the spokesmen and mouthpieces of our former masters? How can we, unless we exploit these resources, if we continue to have a high import propensity? How can we, when we seem so often to take our prototypes from without rather than from within the region? How can we when “scotch” is our national drink and we produce
rum? How can we, when we want to import the food of other nations? It seems to me that there will be no need for anyone to be remarking on these contradictions if, out of this Conference, there comes, as I expect, a firm decision that we should come together as a Community; not in the interest of ourselves as politicians and Heads of Government and ministers, but in the interest of the people of the region. “I saw one hopeful sign this morning. Thirty minutes before the starting of this Conference, every single Head of Government and Head of Delegation had arrived. I think this is a happy augury for the future. I think this represents, in many respects, a break from the past.
From page III
“We in the West Indies have been great sprinters. More than one West Indian hold the World record in the 100 metres — male and female — but how many of us have ever won a bronze medal in a 10,000 metres? We do so well in the sprints, in the same way as we do well in the first innings in cricket. The time has come for us to recognise that the race is not for the swift, but to him that endureth to the end. It is my hope, therefore, that after this Conference, we will have decided to endure to the end. I welcome you to Guyana; I offer you all its hospitality, literally and metaphorically. All I ask you is that by the success of your deliberations, you pay your host the compliment for the hospitality.”
CARICOM SUPPLEMENT 2016
GUYANA scored the highest in consistency of supply of agriculture produce, excellent market locations and market hours, in a recent study that assessed market adequacy for fresh agriculture produce in Barbados, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, and Trinidad and Tobago. The study was part of a broader Intra-ACP Agriculture Policy Programme (APP) Caribbean Action funded by the 10th European Development Fund, designed to enhance regional and interregional capabilities of the agricultural sectors, in eradicating poverty in the Caribbean and Pacific regions. It is also intended to increase the capability of Regional Agricultural Development Organizations in the Caribbean and Pacific regions, to address the development needs of smallholder agriculture. The coordinating agencies are the Caribbean Agriculture Research Development Institute (CARDI), the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat, and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA). The CARICOM Secretariat is leading the development of agriculture policy and providing technical support to agencies and industry groups to strengthen regional mechanisms and platforms for coordinating implementation of regional policies and strategies, to address the constraints to agriculture development. It is also assisting Ministries of Agriculture to develop national and commodity-based agriculture policies and plans in alignment with regional policies. CARDI is leading applied farm and food processing research and innovation that involves promoting and facilitating access of small producers to validated traditional knowledge, and innovative and climate responsive farming practices. The critical elements related to enterprise development and market linkages are being led by IICA. This agency is working to strengthen the capacity of national and regional producer groups to engage with financial services providers for enterprise development. IICA is also coordinating the implementation of value-added processes, product development and market opportunities. The study in which Guyana scored the highest was led by Agriculture Consultant, Dr. Lennox Sealy. He identified 20 key indicators of an ‘ideal’ fresh produce market that included an active group of wholesalers who purchase farmers goods in bulk quantities, convenient collection points, suitably located markets, an organised market information system, trading based on grades and standards, conveniently located packing and cooling facilities available for fresh produce, and physical conditions in the market that are conducive and safe. With a maximum score of 100 for each country, Barbados scored 33.3 percent; Grenada, 33.8; Guyana, 44.0; St. Kitts and Nevis, 31.5; and Trinidad and Tobago, 24.5. Dr. Sealy’s report noted that with the result revealing an average of 30.5, it was evident that there are many opportunities for improvement in market adequacy for fresh produce in the Caribbean. A wide overview of the report showed that markets in Guyana are in the greatest needs of physical upgrade however the country scored the highest because of its consistency of supply, excellent market locations and market hours. Though Trinidad & Tobago has an active group of wholesalers that supply bulk quantities for the market, they scored the lowest because the reliability of the supply is not consistent. The investigation found that one of the inherent difficulties in the current market system in the Region was insufficient packing, sorting and cooling facilities, critical in preserving the quality and standard of naturally perishable agricultural commodities. Each of these factors, the study found, can lead to “post-harvest food losses” which affect many things including the food supply, commodity prices and income for producers. In this context, recommendations were put forward for the identification of all regional non-trade barriers;
V
Guyana leads CARICOM states in ‘agri’ produce supply
an assessment of each and the creation of a framework to eliminate identified barriers facing agricultural products. The study also recommended a harmonised approach to
regional import procedures that facilitated movement of agricultural products within the Region; the building of national market facilities to avoid problems related to spontaneous markets; and the establishment of a regional registry for a CARICOM transportation corridor which includes basic data of cost, availability, reliability and protocols for importers, exporters, brokers, shipping agents, shipping lines, and aircraft operators.
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CARICOM SUPPLEMENT 2016
Heads of Government
of Caricom Member States Antigua and Barbuda
Montserrat
Saint Lucia
St. Kitts and Nevis
St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Suriname
Honourable Gaston A Browne Prime Minister
The Hon. Donaldson Romeo
The Honourable Allen Michael Chastanet Prime Minister (NEW)
The Right Honourable Dr. Timothy Harris Prime Minister
Dr. The Honourable Ralph E. Gonsalves Prime Minister
His Excellency Desi Bouterse President
Belize
Dominica
Trinidad and Tobago
The Bahamas
Barbados
Grenada
The Honourable Dean Barrow Prime Minister
Honourable Roosevelt Skerrit Prime Minister
Honourable Dr. Keith Rowley Prime Minister
Right Honourable Perry G. Christie Prime Minister
Right Honourable Freundel Stuart, QC, MP Prime Minister
The Hon. Dr. Keith Mitchell Prime Minister
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CARICOM SUPPLEMENT 2016
Guyana’s Cleaveland Forde...
Celebrated CARICOM athlete GUYANA’S Cleaveland Forde is arguably the most celebrated athlete in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) 10K Road Race having won four times: Guyana, 2009; Saint Lucia, 2012; Antigua and Barbuda, 2014; and Barbados, 2015. While those accomplishments are noteworthy, this celebrated athlete does not consider them to be the catalyst of his career. “When my focus is at the pinnacle, I guess that I am nowhere yet,” he said modestly. His mind is focused on competing successfully at the highest levels, including the Olympics. If his discipline is an indicator, that aspiration is within reach. The CARICOM Secretariat had an interaction with Mr. Forde ahead of the events surrounding the hosting of the 37th Meeting of the Conference of CARICOM Heads of Government in Georgetown, Guyana from 4-6 July. He related that his proclivity for running long distances became evident when his age was still counted in single digits. A pupil of the Mabaruma Primary School, located in the Barima, Waini region, in the Northwest District, Forde said in running for fun or at school’s sports, he realised that others
seem “really exhausted” while he “still had the energy to go.” That energy to go would be nurtured, and culminated with the 31-year-old athlete winning the Junior Sportsman of the Year award in 2002; Runner-up in the same category in 2003; the Male Athlete of the Year award in 2004; and the Sportsman of the Year award in 2006. His distances are the 5000m and 1500m, but he competes in the 800m, 10K and half marathons. He has competed successfully in over 100 events in countries across the globe, including Hungary, Brazil, Puerto Rico, Panama, India, Australia, Argentina and Italy.
Cleaveland Forde (right) receiving his winning trophy last year from the Prime Minister of Barbados, Mr Freundel Stuart Guyana
His Excellency David Granger President
Haiti
His Excellency Jocelerme Privert Interim President (NEW)
Jamaica
The Most Honourable Andrew Holness Prime Minister (new)
Some of the prominent events include the World Youth Championship in Athletics, CARIFTA Games, NACAC Cross Country 800k; Southern Games 1500m and 5000m; Brazil GP 5000m; CAC Senior Championship 1500m and 5000m; Hampton Games 15000m; UWI Half Marathon; South American 10k Road Race Classic; Run Barbados Series 10k and Half Marathon, Falcon Games 1500m; Central American and Caribbean
Games 5000m; Commonwealth Games 5000m and 1500m; Palo Seco Games 1500m; the Manny Ramjohn Memorial 1500m; World Half Marathon; South American Junior; Cara Suites 10k Classic; National Schools Annual Track and Field, Swimming and Cycling Championships 10k, 1500m, 5000m; and Hampton International Championship 5000m. Cleaveland Forde is truly an outstanding athlete. Despite the considerable amount of time set aside for training and competing, the academic element of his life has not suffered any shortfall. He said motivation to pursue academics alongside athletics was “all around.” Teachers, coaches, friends and family all encouraged him to have “something to fall back on” after his career in track and field. That kind of motivation and self-determination and focus has led him to be academically successful. Turn to page VIII
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The History of
CARICOM CARICOM SUPPLEMENT 2016
THE road has been a long and arduous one, but despite the many stumbling blocks, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) continues to be a dynamic organisation, championing the cause for an integrated Caribbean. The historic Treaty of Chaguaramas, signed on July 4, 1973 by the founding fathers Errol Barrow, Prime Minister of Barbados; Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham, Prime Minister of Guyana; Dr Eric Williams, Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago; and Michael Manley, Prime Minister of Jamaica, had ultimately established the Caribbean Community and Common Market, later known as CARICOM. But the idea was birthed during the 7th Heads of Government Conference in November 1972. After much deliberation, the Caribbean Leaders had decided to transform the Caribbean Free Trade Association (CARIFTA) into a Common Market through the establishment of a Caribbean
Community. The decision, however, was only brought to fruition during CARIFTA’s 8th Heads of Government Conference in April 1973 here in Georgetown, Guyana. At the time, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts/Nevis/Anguilla, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Jamaica, Montserrat and British Honduras (Belize) were all members of CARIFTA. Three months after, the Treaty of Chaguaramas was signed in honour of the birthday of Norman Washington Manley, who was a leading advocate of the West Indies Federation, and one of Jamaica’s national heroes. The treaty came into effect on August 1, 1973. In reflecting on the historic movements that took place in the 1970s, Sir Shridath Ramphal, Guyanese barrister, politician and international civil servant, had said that “while the compulsion for economic integration, and even closer union, had become apparent by 1973, there was still a residual resistance to the idea. The five previous years of CARIFTA had taught Caribbean leaders – government, private sector and labour – that unity was not our natural state, and that if integration were to be realised, it would require constant work; and there was a will to work.” By May 1, 1974, all other members of CARIFTA had signed onto the agreement to become members of CARICOM, except Antigua and Barbuda and St. Kitts and Nevis. They both signed the Agreement in July 1974. By the 1990s, significant progress had been made. In its quest to establish a unified region, a critical component of which is the free movement of skilled labour, goods and capital, CARICOM Heads of Government took the crucial step of Continued on page IX ►
Celebrated... Cleaveland Forde has just completed a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Business Management from the University of Guyana. That was preceded by a Diploma in Management of Information Systems from Dawn to Dusk College in Eldoret, Kenya, through a scholarship co-sponsored by the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Kenya is far away from Guyana, but its high altitude is described as a ‘mecca’ for high- performance athletic training. There, Cleaveland used the high-altitude training camps some 2700 meters above sea level to develop his resistance and muscle strength, and stamina when he competes on ground level.
From page VII
With a solid education under his belt, he said: “Now that I have that, the next five years I just want to dedicate to athletics totally. I don’t want to be distracted.” This dedicated athlete is constantly looking to improve his time, training as much as twice daily, six days a week. “I am looking to run some better times, and right now I am hoping that within the next couple of months, I will be back somewhere at high-altitude training. I will be talking with the Association, and I will engage the Ministry of Education Sports Department, and we’ll see how it goes. I really hope that this is what I want to do at this time,” he said.
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CARICOM SUPPLEMENT 2016
The History... agreeing to the free movement of CARICOM nationals who are university graduates to work freely throughout the Common Market from January 1, 1996. In advancing the primary goals of CARICOM to promote economic integration and cooperation among its members, the regional leaders had taken a decision to initiate a CARICOM Single Market and Economy, commonly known as the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME) in an effort to respond effectively to the challenges and opportunities presented by globalisation. COMING OF THE CSME Preparations for the establishment of the CSME included the negotiation of nine protocols to amend the Treaty. These protocols were subsequently combined to create a new version of the Treaty, called formally The Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas Establishing the Caribbean Community, including the CARICOM Single Market and Economy,
From page VIII
According to the CARICOM Secretariat, “The idea of a Caribbean Supreme Court is not a new one. From as early as the beginning of the 20th Century, opinions were being expressed in support of such a court and at a meeting in 1947, West Indian governors reflected on the need for a West Indian Court of Appeal. Since then, at varying intervals, suggestions were made for such a supreme court.” The CCJ is structured to have two jurisdictions: An original and an appellate. “In its original jurisdiction, the Court is an international tribunal with compulsory and exclusive jurisdiction for the interpretation and application for the Revised Treaty. In this regard, it is tasked with the responsibility to hear and deliver judgment on: disputes arising between contracting parties to the agreement; disputes between contracting parties and the community; and disputes between community nationals, contracting parties, community institutions, or between
The “Big Four.” Seated from left are: Barbados’s Errol Barrow; Guyana’s Forbes Burnham; Trinidad and Tobago’s Dr Eric Williams; and Jamaica’s Michael Manley (Photos courtesy of the CARICOM Secretariat)
which was signed in 2001. The CSME has been designed to facilitate the full use of labour, exploitation of other factors of production, competitive production leading to greater variety; quality and quantity of goods and services, thereby providing greater capacity to trade with other countries. Barbados, Belize, Guyana, Jamaica, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago were the first six to implement the CARICOM Single Market on January 1, 2006. The other six territories: Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenanda, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines followed on July 3, 2006. However, implementation of the CSME had proven to be challenging. After several delays, CARICOM Heads of Government in 2011 declared that progress towards the Single Economy had been put on pause as a consequence of the 2007-2008 financial crisis, and the resulting Great Recession. The completion of the CSME, with the Single Economy, will be achieved with the harmonisation of economic policy, and possibly a single currency. THE CCJ Another significant milestone achieved by CARICOM was the establishment of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ). It was during the 12th Inter-Sessional Meeting of The Conference in 2001, in Bridgetown, Barbados, that the Heads of Government signed the agreement for the establishment of the CCJ, with the central role being to provide legal certainty to the operations of the CSME.
The signatures of the four Heads of Government who signed the historic Treaty of Chaguaramas on July 4, 1973 in Trinidad and Tobago to establish what was then known as the Caribbean Community and Common Market, but now shortened to just CARICOM
nationals themselves,” the Secretariat further explained. In the exercise of its appellate jurisdiction, the CCJ considers and determines appeals in both civil and criminal matters, from courts within the jurisdiction of Member States. Its mission reads: “The Caribbean Court of Justice shall perform to the highest standards as the supreme judicial organ in the Caribbean Community. In its original jurisdiction, it ensures uniform interpretation and application of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, thereby underpinning and advancing the CARICOM Single Market and Economy. As the final court of appeal for member states of the Caribbean Community, it fosters the development of an indigenous Caribbean jurisprudence.” The Court was inaugurated on April 16, 2005 in Trinidad and Tobago, where its headquarters is located. CARICOM PASSPORT Announcement of a CARICOM passport was another welcome initiative put forth by the Heads of Government. For CARICOM nationals, it meant hassle-free travel, and a defining symbol of regionalism. A CARICOM passport is a national passport which is being issued in accordance with an agreed format for intra-regional and extra-regional travel. On the cover is the logo of CARICOM, and the words, “Caribbean Community”. The Coat of Arms and the name of the Member State are also featured on the cover. The CARICOM passport creates awareness that CARICOM nationals
are nationals of the Community, as well as a specific country. In 2005, Suriname was the first Member State to have issued the CARICOM Passport (January 7, 2005), followed by St Vincent and the Grenadines (June 20, 2005), St Kitts and Nevis (October 25. 2005) and Dominica (December 14, 2005). Antigua and Barbuda issued the new Passport on January 16, 2006. On January 16, 2007, St Lucia became the sixth Member State to have introduced the Passport,
followed by the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago on January 24, 2007. Grenada introduced the CARICOM Passport on January 29, 2007. Guyana introduced the CARICOM Passport on July 13, 2007, and Barbados on October 1, 2007. Jamaica and Belize introduced the CARICOM Passport on January 2, 2009 and March 16, 2009 respectively. As a result, all twelve Member States participating in the CSME are now issuing the CARICOM passport. To date, CARICOM has a total of 15 Member States and five associate members: Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands and Turks and Caicos Islands. According to the CARICOM Secretariat, “CARICOM has made great strides, particularly through functional cooperation in, education, in health, in culture, in security. Its Single Market functions, and it is a respected voice in international affairs.”
No question
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‒ CARICOM will hold steady, despite the weather says former regional advisor By Ravin Singh THE recently-announced exit of the United Kingdom (UK) from the European Union (EU) has sparked renewed interest in the future of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). And while many are contemplating what will happen in such an event, given Jamaica’s previously-signaled intention of parting company with the 15-member regional bloc, Foreign Affairs expert Ronald Austin is of the firm belief that it won’t come to pass, and that neither will the bloc collapse. Austin sought to outline several reasons for his contention, explaining that if the bloc is not preserved, then countries in the Caribbean are likely to collapse individually, a much-touted outcome of Brexit. “I think with the body of experience we [CARICOM] have right now, we understand that we have to either swim together as a region or sink separately,” he said. The Caribbean is a dynamic region with varying economies and political, social and cultural structures. In light of this, CARICOM was designed to be the holding-agency for the collective will of the region. And while its existence has been threatened in the past, Austin, who worked with CARICOM previously, believes that the regional bloc will stand tall. PAST EXPERIENCE His first justification is grounded in a historical context, where he referenced a 1961 referendum which was held to determine whether Jamaica should remain in the West Indies Federation, the regional movement which preceded CARICOM. The ‘Vote Leave’ side emerged victorious. And more than half a decade later, Austin believes that this incident has a significant impact on the psychology of the average Jamaican politician. This is taking into con-
sideration, too, that countries had blamed Jamaica for the collapse of the Federation. “They [politicians] are aware of the consequences of leaving CARICOM. Jamaica was principally blamed for breaking up the Federation, and I do not think they want to go through that again,” the former ambassador said. He was keen to note though that this reserved posture of not wanting to leave CARICOM is not exclusively limited to Jamaican politicians, but finds favour with most, if not all, Caribbean politicians who understand the repercussions of leaving the community. Realistic in his reasoning, he highlighted that although politicians acknowledge the need for a regional bloc, whenever there is an economic crisis in the Caribbean, countries tend to look after their own interest as opposed to the overarching interest of the community. He continued, however, that at the same time, most of the leaders in the region seem to appreciate the fact that they cannot exist in isolation, and added that despite this, the future of CARICOM is not easy one.
Ambassador Ronald Austin
anism to further push regional integration. “I don’t see it [CSME] being seriously implemented, and I think there should be greater people’s involvement in the evolution of integration; the integration movement. But I’m hopeful for the future” he added. Commenting further on free movement and immigration in the Caribbean, Austin
to the former diplomat, the founders of CARICOM had envisioned free movement being afforded even to persons who were not considered professionals. “The real reason why the founders of CARICOM decided to have free movement of the people is that for example, if Guyana needs, let us say masons, and Trinidad has a surplus, then [Trinidad] they should be able to move towards Guyana and help us solve that problem,” he reasoned. However, he was keen to note that independence was such a strong thing for most CARICOM countries, even to the point where they appear to still be holding on to their sovereignty for dear life, when in fact they should recognise that there is something beyond that. He added that there is no alternative to free movement – the acceptance of which should be accelerated. Remaining hopeful though, the former CARICOM advisor said that he believes that in the future, Caribbean countries will recognize that free movement of people is necessary for the region to progress and that restriction of same will only be to the detriment of that country.
A DIFFERENT TIME Currently an advisor to Guyana’s MinUNITING FORCES ister of Foreign Affairs, Austin went on In cementing his proposition of why the point out that presently, CARICOM he believes regional integration in the is facing a number of major Caribbean will not collapse, difficulties. He suggested ‘CARICOM has come through all of these expe- the former ambassador exthat on the political side, the riences, so I think people have a fairly good idea plained that there are uniting region is in a different enviforces omenon which have ronment from what obtained what must be done for CARICOM to succeed. forced countries to pool their when the bloc was founded And I’m going to wager, I’m going to take a bet resources and energies to in 1973. collectively fight it. that CARICOM is going to succeed in the near In that era, he said, the One such phenomeenvironment facilitated more future’ --Ronald Austin non, Austin said, is climate people and politicians who change, where it is appreciwere gung-ho about regional integration. said that this aspect of integration, which ated that no one single state can solve the But enthusiasm appears to have died to is a significant article in the Revised Treaty problems of the environment; particularly some extent within the last decade, he said. of Chaguaramas, has hit a roadblock on climate change Asked why he is of the belief that the several occasions. “I’ll go further and predict that when it momentum of regional intecomes to climate change, CARICOM had Earlier this year, Jamaica’s Foreign gration seems to have been Affairs Ministry had been in talks with its better stick together or else they’re gonna altered in a negative way, the Trinidadian counterpart over the denial of be blown away separately. Nothing affects former CARICOM advisor entry of dozens of Jamaicans. In the most this region as significantly as climate opined that he does not think recent episode, the Jamaicans alleged that change. Just look at the cost when there is the regional body is doing they were unjustly refused entry, and were a hurricane because of climate change, or enough to get the average mistreated before being deported. some other major natural development.” Caribbean citizen interested He maintained that from this point of And while Trinidad had denied the in its operations. view, it makes sense uniting, since natural claims, the twin-island republic’s former Despite this lack of enthu- National Security Minister, Gary Griffith disasters which results from climate change siasm for regional integration had reported that there are over 20,000 does not affect countries in isolation. Rathpresently, he expressed the undocumented Jamaicans in Trinidad and er, it has a trickledown effect where other view that the younger gen- Tobago. Griffith said that this was burden- countries in the region could be affected, eration seems to understand ing the country, and costing the govern- for instance, through trade. and appreciate the need for ment to lose out on half-a-billion dollars “An economy of 30 million people is regionalism, which gives hope every year. tiny and mono-cultural. So we have to for CARICOM’s survival. But with the existence of other scenar- pool our resources, pool all that we have, ios such as this in the region, for instance our human resources our natural reREGIONAL Haitians living in the Dominican Republic sources and collective effort. CARICOM INTEGRATION – the latter not being a member of CAR- has come through all of these experiencApart from that, the for- ICOM – Austin said that CARICOM needs es, so I think people have a fairly good eign affairs expert said that to “buckle down and solve this problem.” idea what must be done for CARICOM CARICOM needs to impleThe free movement arrangement cur- to succeed. And I’m going to wager, I’m ment the CARICOM Single rently existing allows for professionals, going to take a bet that CARICOM is Market and Economy (CSME) including nurses and teachers, to migrate to going to succeed in the near future” the which will be a driving mech- another Caribbean country. But according foreign affairs expert said.
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‘Strategically, economically and socially’ ‒ CARICOM very important to Guyana, President Granger says AS Guyana prepares to co-host the 37th Regular meeting of the Heads of Government of CARICOM, President David Granger has made it clear that the movement established 43 years ago is not threatened, despite what may be perceived as the slothfulness of progress relative to integration. Speaking on his weekly televised programme, ‘The Public Interest’ on Thursday, the Guyanese President said, “In my view, all of the Heads [of Government of CARICOM] are committed to making CARICOM stronger.” President Granger said, too, that while the 15 territories that comprise CARICOM are scattered and small, and have vulnerable economies, it would be “counter-productive for us to do anything other than support the integration movement.” He said Guyana is deeply committed to CARICOM, which was established in 1973. “CARICOM is very important to us, strategically, economically and socially,” said President Granger, who noted that there has been much integration with the regional bloc in areas of health, education and security. The President was quick to state, however, that while there has been development in those areas, criticisms have mounted over the years on the progress made in trade and economic relations. “But I would say that CARICOM is useful. Guyana cannot do without CARICOM, and we are looking for the enhancement of the Single Market and Economy,” President Granger stated. With Guyana being the biggest CARICOM state, the country is eager for the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) to “move ahead more quickly.” “I don’t think that CARICOM will fall apart or cease to fulfill the functions to which it was established 43 years ago,” the President stated. The CSME was established with the aim of deepening economic integration by advancing beyond a common market towards a Single Market and Economy, widening the membership, and thereby expanding the economic mass of the Caribbean Community, and ensuring the progressive insertion of the region into the global trading and economic system by strengthening trading links with non-traditional partners. “I cannot say why CARICOM has been moving so slowly; things can go more quickly if there is the will of the Heads of Government. “I don’t believe CARICOM is sick; there is nothing fundamentally wrong with CARICOM. What is wrong
with CARICOM is that we have not been implementing some of the things we agreed to,” President Granger said. But notwithstanding concerns raised about economic and trade relations within the CSME, President Granger said those issues can be resolved. He said the Heads of Government of the CARICOM bloc meet twice annually to resolve problems. Asked whether he believes that the issues of trade facing Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago will be dominantly addressed on the agenda of this coming week’s meetings, President Granger said the issue would be addressed, but he doesn’t view it is catastrophic enough to be dominant at the meetings. Some within Jamaica have opined that ongoing battles that country has with Trinidad and Tobago should come to an end by virtue of Jamaica removing itself from CARICOM. However, President Granger is of the view that matters of trade and economic relations are not severe enough to warrant an exit from CARICOM. “I don’t believe the issues that Jamaica has raised with respect to trade relations with Trinidad are severe enough to lead to an exit. “Every Head of Government has to understand what the public is saying, and pay attention to the complaints. I did not get the impression that anybody is asking for an exit from CARICOM; they are asking for an improvement in relations,” he said. According to the Guyanese leader, if Jamaica has concerns about the influx of Trinidadian goods into their market, if they feel that there is unfairness, then there are mechanisms to deal with that. “You don’t destroy the whole integration movement simply because there is dissatisfaction with terms of trade. I don’t have any means of measuring the mood inside Jamaica, but I think Prime Minister Holness has indicated that he is going to set up a task force to listen to what the Jamaican people are saying,” stated President Granger, who noted that Guyana, too, has experienced trade relations challenges, but stressed that there are sufficient mechanisms in place to deal with such disputes. He believes that the concerns of both Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago will be discussed among the Heads of Government without the public eye, and expressed confidence that the differences between the two countries will be resolved at the caucus. With the region’s security high on the agenda for the meeting, President Granger anticipates that Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago
Keith Rowley will address his concerns as it relates to that territory’s security, given the influx of migrants and weapons there in nlight of Venezuela’s current economic situation. That aside, Correspondent Bank is among the top agenda items to be discussed among the 15 CARICOM Member States and its five Associate States. Should correspondent banking relations be withdrawn, the region will be isolated from the rest of the world, and will be unable to carry out some of the most basic of banking transactions. Critical services including remittance transfers, international trade, and the facilita-
tion of credit card settlements for local clients, among other services, will be affected. Several international banks have noted their unwillingness to have business transacted due to the Region’s being labelled as having lax tax regimes and possessing avenues that are conducive to money laundering and terrorism financing. At their Inter-sessional meeting in Belize, Heads “emphasized that Member States have complied with all global regulatory standards, including those established by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and the Global Forum, and have been scrutinized in every detail by the
IMF and other multilateral institutions”. They deemed the action by the correspondent banks, “as an economic assault” tantamount to an economic blockade against Member States. Notwithstanding the views on the issue, CARICOM has appointed a high level advocacy group, led by the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Hon. Gastown Browne, to represent the interests of the Region in addressing the issue, including approaches to the UN, the WTO and the US Government. Meanwhile, the Heads of Government will also focus on the border controversy between Guyana and Venezuela and Belize and Guatemala. CARICOM has stated unequivocally that it will ensure
the preservation of the territorial integrity of all Member States. On the Guyana border controversy, President David Granger said CARICOM, from its inception, has offered its support on the matter and he expects no different a position. The President said Guyana will continue to push for a juridical settlement of the issue as all else has failed. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will be demitting office in approximately six months and Guyana he said has indicated clearly that it is only interested in a juridical settlement. “We want to go to the court and settle this matter; this is what I am expecting my colleagues in CARCIOM to support us on.”