Antigua and Barbuda Raises Concerns Over OECS Treatment Within CARICOM
Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, the Hon. Gaston Browne, has voiced strong concerns regarding the treatment of Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) members within the broader Caribbean Community (CARICOM), warning that the sub-regional group is being subjected to what he described as “benign neglect.”
Speaking on the first full day of deliberations at the 49th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM, Prime Minister Browne raised the issue during the plenary session under the agenda item concerning the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME).
“We ought not to be treated with benign neglect, in the same way the international community treats us,” Prime Minister Browne stated, highlighting long-standing grievances from OECS member states about disparities within CARICOM’s integration framework.
The CSME, which facilitates the free movement of goods, skills, labour, and services across the region, has recently come under scrutiny. In addition to Prime Minister Browne, both St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves and St. Lucia’s Opposition Leader Allen Chastanet have also raised concerns over the inequitable treatment of OECS countries within the regional bloc.
Dr. Gonsalves reiterated his disappointment during Monday’s session, stating that despite being sovereign, full members of CARICOM, OECS nations have yet to see the benefits promised under Chapter 7 of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, which speaks to disadvantaged countries, regions, and sectors.
“That hasn’t happened,” he said plainly.
Echoing that sentiment, Prime Minister Browne emphasized that the OECS continues to be a committed partner in regional integration but has not been treated fairly.
“We do not wish to be the absolute losers in CARICOM,” Browne said. “There must be compensatory mechanisms to ensure that OECS states benefit meaningfully from integration and the Revised Treaty.”
He further noted that repeated advocacy on this matter has been largely ignored over the years.
“The time has come for this issue to be addressed seriously, rather than continually overlooked,” he asserted.
Among the key concerns raised was the failure to fully implement the Owen Arthur Study, which exposed structural imbalances and the unequal distribution of benefits within the CSME. Prime Minister Gonsalves specifically criticized the current tariff structure, which he argued disproportionately favours larger economies like Trinidad and Tobago, allowing them to dominate regional manufacturing, while leaving OECS states heavily dependent on imports.
Both Prime Ministers also expressed frustration at the failure of some larger CARICOM member states to meet their financial obligations to the CARICOM Development Fund (CDF), a mechanism intended to assist less developed countries within the community.
In closing, Prime Minister Browne lent his full support to Prime Minister Gonsalves’ remarks, particularly regarding the long-standing CLICO/BAICO matter, and called for a formal meeting between the OECS and Trinidad and Tobago to address the unresolved issues. The collapse of CLICO and BAICO (British American Insurance Company) in 2009 caused significant financial disruption across OECS territories, triggering prolonged economic and legal challenges.
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@foolie beanie
An idle brain is the devil’s workshop. Instead of wasting time with worthless emogis, use the space to share exactly WHA U KNO!
That we are still arguing and fighting about aspects of Caricom that was enshrined in the original charter and those that were ratified in the treaty of Chaguaramus in 2001, speaks to the overall direction and effectiveness of Caricom since its inception Whilst I am a proponent of integration, history has taught us that legal integration didn’t really translate to true and meaningful unification, assimilation and alliance. On paper we have the right ideas. In practical we have made very little progress since 1973. One of our member territory Haiti has been literally imploding for years and Caricom has watched with shallow talks as the situation there gets from bad to worse. We are a gutless, hopeless regional body. It’s no wonder these splinters are now surfacing and leaders are openly talking about cessation from the regional body.
haiti Haiti Haiti oh gosh man caricom my foot
Why is the CSME still so unbalanced after all these years? Maybe it’s time to rethink the whole model if smaller states aren’t benefiting.
PM Browne and PM Gonsalves are absolutely right, OECS countries have been sidelined for too long. It’s time we see action, not just talk.
PM Browbe, you may not be the PM many Antiguans want, but you are certainly the PM the country needs. Yes, finally an advocate for the interests of the OECS Islands. Larger small islands like Jamaica and especially Trinidad benefit overwhelmingly and unfairly from Caricom. IThe unfairness is in every aspect, even at CXC. Most of the authors of the textbooks used by CSEC are from either Trinidad or Jamaica so their authors get most of the financial benefit. Much of the content in the text books are biased in favour of Trinidad, Jamaica, Guyana.and Barbados. Antigua and the other islands are scarcely mentioned. Even the Geography text books, the examples and studies are predominantly about Trinidad, when we have mangrove swamps and natural features that are overlooked. This subconsciously tells our students that their islands are not good enough, no wonder they can come here and dominate us, even when less or equally qualified. They think their larger small islands are superior. It’s even in cricket, our talent is often overlooked by the selectors. Its time for something to be done about the imbalance and inadequacies of this Caricom agreement because its not just in trade, the unfairness is in every aspect!
Who is responsible?
In a letter dated January 18, 2001 from Colonial Life Insurance Company (Trinidad) Limited, P.O. Box 1865, Redcliffe Street, St. John’s, Antigua, W.I.; signed by Leroy C. Parris, President and sent to policyholders:
‘Dear Client:
We wish to inform you that Colonial Life Insurance Company (Trinidad) Limited will be reorganizing its operations in Antigua and Barbuda and the other Eastern Caribbean Territories in which we operate.
The reorganization is necessary due to the growth of the Company regionally. A necessary consequence of the reorganization has been the incorporation in Antigua and Barbuda of CLICO International Life Insurance Limited.
This new company is a wholly owned subsidiary of CLICO Holdings Barbados Limited and will be responsible for the servicing and administration of the insurance portfolio of Colonial Life Insurance Company (Trinidad) Limited, in Antigua and Barbuda and the Eastern Caribbean. CLICO International Life Insurance Limited, CLICO Holdings Barbados Limited and Colonial Life Insurance Company (Trinidad) Limited are all subsidiaries of the parent company C.L. Financial Limited in Trinidad.
This new structure will allow us to further expand and better and anticipate your changing needs in this dynamic market place. We have, however, devoted our efforts to ensure that all services previously available will continue.
CLICO sees itself as a pre-eminent insurance institution in the region and our new structure will allow us to better serve your needs in the 21st century.
Please contact our Customer Service Representative at 480-3250 to resolve any queries you may have.
We thank you for the confidence you have place in us over the years and look forward to your continued support.’
Thanks for the update, but will traffic be diverted? That section of St. John’s Street is already congested most days.
Gaston Browne goes to these over seas functions and shine brighter and brighter everytime. He is not ashamed or afraid to let his voice be heard amoung even more powerful people than him
@@ Faithful National #1
Here’s what I know as in ME KNO.
You are a asswipe and shit tubfor the Browne Administration, similar to how these so called larger islands have used the OECS as their asswipes and dumping grounds for their undesirables and overpriced products.
Please read and comprehend, what Audley Phillip has written.
CLICO policy holders in the OECS are EXPECTING the exact same settlement nothing less that were given to the TRINIDADIANS, BAJANS, GUYANESE and ST LUCIANS CLICO POLICY HOLDERS.