ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada, CMC -Grenada has decided to mark the 50thanniversary of the regional integration movement, CARICOM, with a national holiday on July 4, acknowledging the importance of the regional grouping to Caribbean socio-economic development,
Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell said that Cabinet had agreed to a request from CARICOM for member states to mark the occasion’s significance on July 4.
“The treaty of Chaguaramas created CARICOM. Dominica is the incoming chair of CARICOM, but Dominica graciously agreed because CARICOM will be celebrating its 50th anniversary to have that occasion marked in Trinidad.
“So on the third and fourth of July, CARICOM will be gathering in Trinidad to mark the 50th anniversary of CARICOM,” he told television viewers, adding,” At the Cabinet level, we discussed, as was proposed by CARICOM that July 4 should be made a national holiday in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of CARICCOM.
“The cabinet of St. Kitts-Nevis has already proceeded to do so, and e are happy to join with our brothers and sisters and other CARICOM countries in celebrating CARICOM because despite its shortcomings, despite some of the challenges, I think all would agree we are better off together, united and continuing to forge ahead…than trying to go it alone”.
Mitchell, who was interviewed on the first anniversary of his government coming to office last June, told viewers that “we certainly want to celebrate and mark the accomplishments of CARICOM.
“We do recognize the need to continue forging stronger relations within CARCOM, within the OECS (Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States) as well,” Mitchell said, adding that he is very passionate about an economic union within the sub-grouping as well as the wider CARICOM region.
“We’ve talked about the need to improve the movement of people, the movement of goods and the movement of capital in particular …and as recently as today, we were contemplating a policy …to remove the Alien Landing Holding Licence requirement for citizens of the OECS for them to acquire land in Grenada.
“If you can work in Grenada as an OECS citizen and you have the funds, then you should be able to purchase land, to invest…,” Mitchell said, adding that Dominica, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and St. Lucia have already undertaken such reforms.
“We are very keen on wanting to dismantle some of the artificial restrictions that we cling on to, and I think that has hindered the economic development within the OECS,” he said, noting that if it means progressing individually until the union comes into being.
On the issue of regional transportation, Mitchell said. At the same time, there have been some “intense discussions” among the regional leaders regarding intra-regional travel given the demise of the Antigua-based regional airline, LIAT, “no doubt it is challenging.
“The truth is it requires some private sector investment as well. There is no way that the government alone can provide these funds. So the Caribbean Development Bank seeks to present all options from a fully funded regional state-owned enterprise to one we partner with …leveraging different assets.
“It is, without question, a long slow, difficult climb, and we have to continue advocating, and I think the more we can spur economic activity among us, the easier it becomes for private sector persons and even governments to justify spending on regional travel.”
Mitchell said at the CARICOM level. Discussions had been held about whether fast ferries would be an excellent option to help move people, goods, and services across the region.
“That is ongoing; it has to be funded,” he said, noting that some routes have already been examined.
Mitchell said Trinidad and Tobago is leading the discussions, and the issue of funding is also a consideration.
“But I am not going to pretend; it is not proving to be an easy thing. I know Caribbean Airlines has been looking at getting some small planes. This was raised with me by Prime Minister (Dr. Keith) Rowley when we had the symposium on crime as a public health issue (held in Trinidad in April).
“It is something we will pursue further discussions about but from Grenada’s perspective. We are keen to do anything we can to try and improve the airlift …certainly at a regional level,” Mitchell added.
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