As Antigua and Barbuda joins the rest of the regional grouping to celebrate the 50 th
anniversary of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Prime Minister Gaston
Browne remains optimistic that realizing the CARICOM Single Market and
Economy (CSME) is ‘within reach.’
PM Browne was speaking at the margins of a Flag-raising Ceremony held at the
grounds of the Office of the Prime Minister, as part of this country’s observance of
the historic milestone for CARICOM.
“That is work in progress. We are making incremental progress and I would say
that within the upcoming twenty-four to thirty-six months we should see some
additional achievements. Hopefully, we will see a greater convergence of
currencies, the establishment of a regional stock market, there will be greater
functional cooperation and all the impediments to setting up this single market and
economy will be dispensed with, and in the coming years we will achieve that
noble objective,” he remarked.
PM Browne noted that CARICOM has focused significant energy on the
establishment of the CSME and towards the stimulation of regional commerce. To
achieve this objective, he continued, it was necessary to create, and now to
modernize, the Common External Tariff (CET) which has been critical in
dismantling barriers to trade and commerce within the Community.
On the occasion of the 50 th -anniversary celebrations, history has proven that
entering into the integration movement was the right decision for CARICOM
states. “As we celebrate the 50 th year since the signing of the Treaty of
Chaguaramas, our countries’ collaboration has indeed proven the earlier generation
right. CARICOM has made the nation-states a stronger force, especially in
multilateral institutions than each could have hoped to be.
“The theme, ‘50 years strong: A solid foundation to build on’ captures the history
of our binding agreement spawned by far-thinking, West Indian leaders of that
period. CARICOM, I am told is the oldest surviving integration movement in the
developing world,” he stated.
The prime minister again described ‘fifty years of living integration’ as indeed a
tremendous accomplishment and testimony of our people’s determination.
“Today’s ceremony serves to acknowledge its significance at the highest level,
here in Antigua and Barbuda, standing in the shadow of our Parliament Building
and the shade of the Prime Minister’s edifice, occupied since the year 2000 by
three Prime Ministers,” he declared.
