Bdos: One love

The development of symbols representing Caribbean nationhood and community, such as a CARICOM passport, the recognition of a CARICOM day, and strengthening of regional media were a few of the suggestions made by Prime Minister Owen Arthur to ensure the success of the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME).

Arthur also said that success depended on mastering a few strategic elements that will make a significant difference to the process.

“The first is to make the CSME matter; to prevent it from being the fifth wheel to the coach, to make its very existence and functioning vital to the development of the mainstream productive sectors which generate our income, our employment and our wealth,” said Arthur on Friday. He was delivering the eighth CARICOM Distinguished Lecture Series on the topic “CSME: The Way Forward”.

Arthur suggested the creation of an Economic Commission to bring together leaders of the private sector, the labour movement, members of the financial sector, key public officials, academics, and representatives of non-governmental organisations to monitor the progress of economic harmonisation and sectoral development as outlined in the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas.