The PNCR said Caricom must boost its governance structures and implement decisions taken as it attempts to conquer challenges and move forward.

In its message on the 36th anniversary of the regional integration movement, the party said in recent times the integration process has been challenged by a number of issues. It said the impact of the global financial crisis has placed new burdens on the process and important components of the Caricom Single Market and Economy have come under scrutiny.

However, the PNCR also said the process has been challenged before and it has survived and today it is one of the oldest integration movements in the world. It said too the fact that Caribbean people “live the integration process” daily would ensure temporary difficulties are surmounted and the movement strengthened. The party said in fact Caricom Day should inspire “a new spirit of regionalism and cooperation” to propel it to a more sustainable form of integration. In particular, the Region must take seriously the need to improve its governance structures in order to ensure that decisions taken are implemented in a timely fashion. The PNCR said it is confident that the region can overcome its current difficulties and salutes the leaders of the integration process.