CARICOM Heads to Look to Move Caribbean Single Market and Economy Forward

Dr. Carla Barnett

This afternoon, as the heads of government from the Caribbean begin arriving on San Pedro, CARICOM Secretary General Dr. Carla Barnett, held a Zoom meeting to share what is to be expected during the two day Inter-sessional. Among the issues to be discussed is how member states can begin realizing the single market and economy for the region, despite years of trying to make it happen. She discussed one proposal that could lead to action.

Dr. Carla Barnett, Secretary General, CARICOM

“One of the important things that will on the table at this meeting is a protocol on the enhance corporation among member states that will allow some groups of member states to work together closely so that we do not remain bound by the current understanding that we all have to agree to every single step before we make a single step. Because that’s one of the issues that keeps back forward movement in the community. The growing feeling is that if there can be like-minds among a subset of countries, and they want to move forward, and a particular aspect of this Single Market and Economy, we ought to be able to move forward together and then the remainder who may not be ready at the same time, can join on when they are able to. And so, this protocol will allow that kind of forward movement.”