Jamaica not planning to leave CARICOM – PM Andrew Holness

Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness has dismissed any speculation that Jamaica is preparing to pull out of the regional economic bloc – the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

Speaking at the launch of his promised CARICOM Review Commission, Holness noted that the CARICOM debate was triggered by last week’s historic referendum in the UK – known as Brexit – which has resulted in the UK opting to leave the European Union (EU) after 43 years.

Holness argued that CARICOM has had its successes in the areas of education, health, governance practices, the sharing of costs for regional negotiations, and regional security co-operation, but matters of trade – which have often been the source of contention between Jamaica and some of its CARICOM partners – are still wanting.

“One of the lessons that we have learnt from the recent referendum in the UK is that governments must pay keen attention to what their citizens are saying. There is clearly in Jamaica, a perception of CARICOM, and the solution which I believe works for us is to investigate that, to create the forum in which those views can be given voice, and the issues articulated, but that there are persons who can give context, direction, interpretation, lead opinion, analyze and chart a course forward. That is the approach that I intend to take – get the expert opinions to interface, interact, exchange the views with the Jamaican people as to where it is we want to go,” he said.

The CARICOM review commission will be headed by for Prime Minister Bruce Golding.

Source: Jamaica Observer