Wednesday, May 3, 2006

by Malaika Laurent
Caribbean Net News Dominica Correspondent
Email: malaika@caribbeannetnews.com

ROSEAU, Dominica: Trade Officer Floyd Capitolin believes that Dominica is the OECS member country most ready for the implementation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) scheduled to take effect June 2006.

The CSME is designed to represent a single economic space where people, goods, services and capital can move freely. This will require the harmonisation and coordination of social, economic and trade policies by participating Member States.

Just last week, political scientist Professor Neville Duncan accused CARICOM heads of ‘dragging their feet’ toward implementing the CSME in an interview with a local newspaper.

But, according to Capitolin, Dominica has already amended seven of its laws to remove restrictions to accommodate the move.

“In comparison to the other countries within CARICOM, you can see that Dominica is one of the most CSME ready countries in relation to the removal of restrictions. We are way ahead.

“It’s just that as it relates to a decision that was taken by the OECS heads, Dominica has taken the decision to sign on with the OECS member countries as a bloc and not as an individual country,” said Capitolin.

Dominica has also introduced CARICOM passports, as part of its move toward the regional integration, but still has to amend at least four pieces of legislation to accommodate the process.

CARICOM Communication Specialist Salas Hamilton says one of the biggest obstacles for the implementation of the CSME is public education, a concern also raised by Professor Neville Duncan.

“The biggest impediment would be sensitisation. If persons realise we are small countries who are competing against some real economic powers and the only way forward is to join together, I think you will have more aggression in terms of the population coming on board,” he said.

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