CSME meeting to address issues relating to contingent rights of member-state citizens

Bridgetown, Barbados – A number of issues will be on the agenda next week when Caribbean Community (CARICOM) heads meet in Barbados for the 9th Meeting of the Prime Ministerial Sub-Committee on the CARICOM Single Market and the Economy (CSME).

These were discussed during a national preparatory meeting with high-level Government officials chaired by Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley on Monday.

Issues relating to the contingent rights of citizens, such as health care, education, the single registration of international businesses, and the approval of automatic 6-month stays to CARICOM nationals, were among the areas discussed.

Mottley indicated that there were some issues that required follow-up action which could not be treated in a vacuum.

“The global market has to be our market,” she stressed.

She called on those present to identify policy issues within their areas and come up with suggestions for how they could be addressed. “I need for each of you to tell me what it will take to transform each ministry you have so that we can turn things around,” Mottley said.

A day before the September 5 CSME meeting, Prime Minister Mottley will join ministers of finance from around the region for the 6th Special Meeting of the Council for Finance and Planning (COFAP). The COFAP is responsible for economic policy coordination, financial and monetary integration of Member States. That meeting will be chaired by Prime Minister of Antigua & Barbuda Gaston Browne. -(CMC)