CARICOM member states endorse new agreements deepening regional integration, movement

St Vincent & the Grenadines has signed on to the new Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Multilateral Air Services Agreement (MASA). The agreement expands the scope for airlines owned by CARICOM nationals to provide air services throughout the 15-member grouping.

The CARICOM Secretariat said that the agreement allows for no restriction on routes, capacity or traffic rights and should facilitate increased intra-regional travel and provide more cargo options for exporters and importers with resulting cost savings.

“This should provide a major boost to the regional transportation sector which is a critical aspect of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME),” that allows for the free movement of goods, skills, labour, and services across the region.

The signing of the MASA was 1 of 5 agreements signed by the CARICOM heads of government.

Barbados Prime Minister Fruendel Stuart signed the CARICOM Arrest Warrant Treaty and the revised agreement establishing the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC).
The CARICOM Arrest Warrant Treaty, which has already been signed by some member states, simplifies the procedure of returning fugitives to the country where charges have been laid.

The revised agreement establishing the Barbados-based CXC seeks to update the CXC’s legal structure in light of subsequent organisational practices, recent market developments and current needs, with particular emphasis on accommodating requests from additional territories and institutions to join or otherwise participate in the CXC.

Montserrat’s Education, Health and Youth Minister Delmaude Ryan signed on to the accord establishing the Caribbean Accreditation Authority for Education in Medicine and other Health Professions, and the agreement establishing the Caribbean Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency. -(CMC)