The recent referendum which will see Britain exiting the European Union (EU) has brought the survival of integration in the Caribbean Region into focus, Prime Minister of Saint Lucia Allen Chastanet said last evening while noting that the role and purpose of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) is also being questioned.
“People are once again asking what is in it [being part of Caricom) for me and my country,” he said in remarks during the opening ceremony of the 37th Heads of Government Conference being held in Guyana. The meeting which is being co-hosted by Guyana ends tomorrow.
“What if our people ask for such a referendum? Are we certain of their responses? Have we done enough to create that connection between our people and this community? Why are we so afraid to do more with this organization that has demonstrated that we can punch above our weight in the international community?” he questioned.
Chastanet signalled his intention to use his time at the meeting to find options to further strengthen regional integration. He said leaders do not take enough time to meet one another outside of conferences.
“We need to listen more and bond with each other and maybe then we will be able to find …solutions that would benefit us all as a region,” he said.
He said Caricom has made a commitment to the region and citizens “must feel the tangible benefits of that. We must deliver on a better way of life. Our excuse that progress is hampered by consensus is no longer convincing or acceptable.” In this regard, he said people are questioning Caricom’s relevance.
“We need this community to be a buffer for focusing on the things that we do well. We need this community to create efficiencies that will reduce cost and improve the ability to deliver governance,” he said, adding that more of the services in the region must be more integrated. “More of our policies and structures that are languishing need to be reviewed and discarded so that new and more effectives one can be put in place.”
Chastanet said the promise of regional integration is “slowly starting to put some flesh on our bones in some areas.” He spoke of Caricom being “deeply involved” in the development of the Sustainable Development Goals and other programs and campaigns but questioned how they are benefiting the region. “I say let them have a focused discussion. Let us be more strategic in our engagement with all these organizations …,” he said.
With regard to banking, he said that Saint Lucia has a successful campaign with the UK which involved an incredible lobbying effort. “I believe that the time has come …for us to put together a more effective lobbying approach towards corresponding banking. We must stop thinking that we must solve this problem alone think about the number of multinational companies…who have the best interest in our region and who know exactly how to lobby,” he said.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister of Dominica and Chairman of the Conference Roosevelt Sherrit said that the conference will give Caricom leaders the opportunity to seriously consider what effects Britain’s exit from EU will have on the Caribbean and to demonstrate leadership by showing the way forward.
“After all we have had a long and deep relationship with the United Kingdom, and Britain remains one of our most important trading partners, largest resource market for our primary industry and provides assistance to us on legal and financial matters,” he said.
As Chairman, he said he must not only put forth Caricom’s position but also suggest what needs to be done urgently in response.
He reminded those gathered that Caricom is a primary community built on empathy and caring for each other. He said that at the individual level this is continuously being reinforced, whenever or wherever people interact.
Skerrit, who wrapped up the ceremony, called on all to work together to strengthen cooperation and collaboration so as to create a stronger, more vibrant community. “Let us proudly analyze and position ourselves to take advantage to the opportunities that would arise from this,” he said.
He said called for there to be focus on what needs to be done to strengthen Caricom making it more economically competitive and generate resources to sustain togetherness.
Skerrit expressed the view that the most important priority of Caricom is creating a single market place connected by efficient and cost effective transportation. “The most powerful case for regional integration is the need for a common market of free trade area with politically free movement of human and material capital and services,” he said.
He said that Caricom enables small nation states to benefit from low tariffs, diversification of production according to comparative advantage and a large enough market but this would be impossible without efficient and effective transport system.
He questioned why travelling within the region is more expensive that travelling outside. “Why is it cheaper to travel from Dominica to New York than it is to travel from Dominica to Guyana? he queried to applause from the audience. He also spoke about the absence of a regional travel package for tourists which would help to increase visits to the region.
He said climate change is also affecting the region and he pointed out that water is being viewed as an invaluable resource which if left unmanaged will be in short supply soon.
“Faced with the treat of climate change we have to take steps to adapt and to mitigate its effects,” he said.
“It is in our economic and environmental interest to explore the huge potential that exists in the Caribbean for exploiting renewable energy.” He said that the economy’s potential can be maximized in an effort to reduce energy cost and dependence on fossil fuels.
Skerrit announced too that Dominica will observe two days of mourning for former Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Patrick Manning, who died on Saturday last.
