Thompson makes right move on CSME

It was good to hear prime minister David Thompson speak out in support of CSME and advise Barbadians about the opportunities it offers.

The future of Barbados is inextricably linked to the future of the Caribbean region of which we are a part. Barbados has long been a leading player in the English-speaking Caribbean and there are significant benefits to be gained for this country and its people within a fully functional CSME.

Bajan Free Press

http://www.nationnews.com/story/342967839781842.php 

Thompson pushing CSME
Published on: 1/25/08.

PRIME MINISTER DAVID THOMPSON has given his commitment that the new Democratic Labour Party (DLP) Government will take a lead role in the move toward a CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME).

And he wants the private sector to play a pivotal part in the process.

“The Single Market and Economy relies heavily on the private sector because it is essentially an economic agreement between member states,” the Prime Minister told businessmen attending the Barbados Chamber of Commerce luncheon at the Savannah Hotel on Wednesday.

As such, he said, the private sector in Barbados needed to seize the opportunities that would come with the emergence of a Single Market and Economy.

“Just let Government know what you need to do this,” Thompson said. “I need to know from you what has been working and where we can improve as a nation that is open for regional business.”

In terms of trade, the Prime Minister recognised that reliable air transport remained a major challenge and was a “serious impediment” to all commercial activity.

In this regard, he said, Government, as a major shareholder in the regional air carrier LIAT, would do all in its power to address the problems faced by the airline.

That apart, he urged businessmen to work with Government to make the Single Economy a reality.

“As I understand it, the Heads of Government recently agreed to a 2015 deadline for the completion of the Single Economy within CARICOM,” he said.

“Many persons question these deadlines due to the continued postponements, but it is imperative for all to understand that CARICOM is composed
of sovereign states . . . which naturally assess their individual readiness before assuming complex obligations.”

But, he explained, in the changing global environment, the region had to put aside its differences and form a cohesive bloc. (CG)

http://www.cbc.bb/content/view/13923/10/

PM: Barbados will honour CARICOM commitments 
Wednesday, 23 January 2008
Prime Minister David Thompson Wednesday hinted that his administration will not support a LIAT monopoly in air transportation as he assured regional neighbours that Barbados will honour all of its Caribbean Community (CARICOM) commitments.

Thompson, whose Democratic Labour Party (DLP) swept to power in last Tuesday’s general election, said the free movement of certain category of nationals under the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) is becoming more difficult as a result of the air turbulence being experienced.

He said the difficulties being experienced in air transportation are proving to be a serious impediment to all commercial activity, especially tourism.

“It is difficult to reconcile our integration efforts with what is unfolding before us daily in terms of the costs of transportation and options for travel. As a private sector I am sure you have your own responses to an obvious heavy demand for a service which is short in supply and inefficient.

“As a major shareholder in the regional airline LIAT, my government will do all within its power to address the problems which persist in the regional airline industry but since travel is the lifeblood of CARICOM, we cannot put all of our eggs in one basket,” Thompson told members of the private sector.

The new Prime Minister, who assumes responsibility for the CSME in the CARICOM quasi-Cabinet, also told over 200 businessmen gathered for a Barbados Chamber of Commerce function that while the new government fully supports the regional integration movement it will seek to carefully analyse policies to ensure there are in the country’s interest.

“We intend to address each aspect of free movement of CARICOM nationals carefully to assure all concerned that both national and individual interests are taken into consideration.

“Barbados’ legal commitments under the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas will continue to be honoured. This is a law-abiding country and it is expected that all visitors to our country will uphold our laws as well,” he told over

Telling the businessmen that “Barbados’ success is CARICOM’s success and CARICOM’s success is Barbados’ success”, the Prime Minister said local companies and entrepreneurs stand to reap benefits from a well-managed CSME once they apply themselves.

“It is often said that with the CSME comes added opportunities. It is for you to seize the opportunities before others do. I will go further and ask, what can your government do to help you access such opportunities? How can government best help you strengthen your capacity to benefit from CSME …

“We must act decisively. We have to display a maturity that grasps the opportunities as they arise and rejects outright those options which do not comply with our development agenda,” he added.

CMC