There should be no conflict between the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME), and an economic union for the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), according to Dominica’s Director of Trade Eisenhower Douglas.
Several of the states making up the OECS form part of Caricom, but Douglas believes the two arrangements will complement, rather than clash with, each other.
“We are small states and therefore we are within the Caricom arrangement, but we have certain unique features that require certain unique instruments, and the OECS Economic Union is part and parcel of that unique package of instruments … all that’s supposed to work in unison with the CSME,” he stated.
“I don’t see any conflict whatsoever,” he said, but Douglas was quick to add that should any conflict emerge, “the leaders and the technicians are committed to resolving those, so that both set of arrangements can reinforce and complement one another, as we go forward.”
Caricom officials have said a lot more work needs to be done with respect to the CSME. Meanwhile the treaty establishing the OECS Economic Union is to come into full effect in June.
– DNO Correspondent
NO CSME, no more Haitians.
We have nothing to gain from CSME….it is a complete waste of time. Caricom has only benefitted Trinidad. OECS integration makes more sense. let us get that done and working first before takling this CSME nonesense
I say the OECS should get out of that CSME thingy, it spells disaster given the fact that some of the larger CARICOM countries are already failed states. Long live the OECS.