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Trinidad & Tobago establishes CSME unit

Friday, September 25, 2003

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad: The government of Trinidad and Tobago, in keeping with the high priority being placed on regional integration issues, has established a CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) Unit within its Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Unit will be headed by Ambassador Jerry Narace.

The Unit was established in response to the commitment given by Prime Minister, Mr. Patrick Manning, at the recently held Fourteenth Inter-Sessional Meeting of the Heads of Government in Port of Spain, that Trinidad and Tobago will be CSME-ready in one year, a government statement said.

"In appreciation for the need to have an efficient functioning CSME, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has complied with the CSME readiness call for the establishment of a specialized Unit within the Ministry," Minister of Foreign Affairs, Senator the Honourable Knowlson W. Gift said in a prepared statement. "The establishment of the Unit will ensure that Trinidad and Tobago as a leading player with the CARICOM family would be in a position not only to fulfill its obligations but will continue its commitment to the economic well-being and welfare of all CARICOM member states."

CARICOM Heads of Government have given an undertaking in the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas to deepen regional integration through the CSME to generate substantial economic development and sustainable growth in their countries.

The CSME Unit will focus primarily on issues related to international competitiveness, coordinated economic and foreign policies, functional cooperation and enhanced trade and economic relations with third States.

The Unit will have the central role of coordinating all activities relating to the implementation of the CSME. It will be responsible for national consultation to inform private sector stakeholders as well as civil society. The Unit will also forge linkages with all other relevant governmental agencies and coordinate activities to drive the implementation of the CSME.
In addition, the Unit will serve as the Secretariat to the Inter-Ministerial Consultative Committee (IMCC) and the coordinator of meetings between the IMCC and the Business Sector and Labour Advisory Committee (BSLAC).

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