CARICOM Consultations in Antigua and Barbuda Focus on CSME Implementation
The CARICOM Secretariat, in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Barbuda Affairs, recently facilitated a series of consultations in Antigua and Barbuda to enhance awareness of national procedures and processes for implementing the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME). The sessions, held from February 5 to 7, 2025, are part of a regional initiative supported by the 11th European Development Fund (EDF) Strengthening Framework for CARICOM Integration and Cooperation Processes (SFCICP).
During the engagements, the CARICOM Secretariat team met with key government officials, including Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Barbuda Affairs Hon. Chet Greene, Attorney General Hon. Steadroy Benjamin, members of the Parliamentary Opposition, and representatives from various government departments such as Immigration, Customs and Excise, and the Registrar of Companies. The consultations also included the National Trade Council, aviation stakeholders, and the Royal Police Force.
Additionally, outreach sessions were conducted with secondary and tertiary institutions, including Antigua State College and The University of the West Indies (UWI) Five Islands Campus, with the support of Antigua and Barbuda’s CARICOM Youth Ambassadors. The discussions aimed to inform students and the wider public about the benefits and opportunities of the CSME framework.
The visit also featured a televised panel discussion on Antigua Broadcasting Service (ABS) TV, following which Governor General Sir Rodney Williams commended the CARICOM Secretariat team for their informative presentation.
The team leading the consultations included Leo Preville, Gladys Young (Assistant General Counsel), Salas Hamilton (Specialist Communications CSME), Wanya Illes (Deputy Programme Manager, Free Movement and Labour), and Bernard Black (Senior Project Officer, Customs and Trade Policy).
These consultations in Antigua and Barbuda mark the completion of similar engagements in five CARICOM member states: Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Saint Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The initiative will continue in Trinidad and Tobago from March 18 to 21, 2025.
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Consultations must lead to action. Too often, these discussions don’t translate into real change.
Hope this brings real benefits for businesses and workers. A more seamless regional market could boost economic opportunities for all!
CSME implementation is long overdue.
Wait…
No Richard, Serpent or Shuggy…
Still forming that new party?
Poor fellows. Kicked to the curb and targeted for sabotage and defeat at the hands of your so-called “brothers and sisters”!
Is this another UPP convention or a CSME meeting for CARICOM Consultations? Some are notably missing.
I’m seriously against this…. Yes come for me!! I’m not anti caricom, I’m anti Caricom in its current form… There’s actually no benefit for the smaller developing islands… Is the security of these small islands on the agenda? Are we allowed to implement the ETA that other countries use? There are so much questions and not enough answers… With Donald Trump carrying through on his promise of mass deportations, how do we now protect our country from the free movement of violent criminals coming to our peaceful country? Did anyone really address the importance of the strain that unmanageable migration will place on our social services?? While the majority of migrants really want a better life for them and their families, the criminals do present themselves as law abiding citizens our to the wreak havoc on an unsuspecting and often naive society…. Caricom is and will continue to be a disaster…
They are there to discuss aids treatment