CARICOM trade and economic affairs ministers to meet in Guyana

Caribbean Community (CARICOM) trade and economic affairs ministers are set to meet in Georgetown, Guyana later this month to discuss developments regarding the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME).

The CSME allows for the free movement of goods, skills, labor and services across the 15-member region and a statement from the Guyana-based CARICOM Secretariat said the emphasis at the November 15-16 meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED), will be on making the CSME more effective and the definition of artisans and household domestics.

CARICOM Assistant Secretary-General, Trade and Economic Integration, Joseph Cox, speaking at a 2-day preparatory meeting, noted the strides the Community has been making in the CSME, especially in the area of free movement of people.

The Secretariat said that the ministerial discussions will precede the Special CARICOM Heads of Government Meeting on the CSME scheduled for Trinidad & Tobago, December 3-4.

The preparatory meeting also discussed the direction of CARICOM’s external trade policy as well as its trade relations with the United Kingdom post-BREXIT.

Cox said that the region was nearing the conclusion of discussions with London on a new agreement that replicated the provisions of the CARIFORUM-European Union Economic Partnership Agreement post-Brexit.

Cox said that discussions on the trade in goods will centre on the expeditious review of the Common External Tariff (CET) and the Rules of Origin. He said the aim is a more efficient and transparent trading system that would help to unleash the productive energy and innovative potential of the Region that would be more supportive of private sector initiative. -(CMC)