Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves has urged stronger regional commitment to the Caribbean Community Development Fund (CDF).
His claims highlight concerns that several member states have reportedly not been fulfilling their financial obligations despite the fund’s vital role in addressing economic disparities within CARICOM.
The CDF, established as an institution of CARICOM, is tasked with providing both financial and technical support to disadvantaged nations, regions, and sectors across the Caribbean, said Gonsalves. It plays an important role in mitigating inequalities among member states, which may arise from the implementation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME).
Gonsalves’ observation may be more poignant in the wake of former St Lucia Prime Minister Allen Chastanet’s recent strongly-worded public assertions that smaller islands may find greater benefit from divorcing CSME and brokering their own agreements with other CARICOM states. At the time, the Vincentian leader echoed this sentiment, albeit to a lesser degree.
During a press briefing held on Friday, July 11, 2025, at St Vincent’s Cabinet Room, Prime Minister Gonsalves emphasized that non-contributions from member countries have a tangible impact on the fund’s effectiveness. According to a statement issued by his government, he bluntly alleged that countries such as “Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica and several other countries have not been contributing to the fund.”
Referring to the legal framework, the Prime Minister explained that the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas explicitly outlines the purpose of the CDF.
“Chapter Seven provisions are to help to balance things off for disadvantaged countries, regions and sectors,” he stated.
He further noted that “within that Chapter Seven, you have article 158 which establishes the CARICOM Development Fund from which you can get money to borrow cheaply for disadvantaged countries, regions and sectors… but the cycles everybody has to put money in it.”
Gonsalves emphasized that contributions from member states are essential for the fund to operate effectively. “And when we do, we can get back what we put in as a grant – and also borrow money, and borrow cheap,” he explained. “But the first condition is: money has to be in the Fund.”
He specifically expressed concern over what he identified as declining levels of contributions across successive funding cycles.
“In the first cycle, more money was put into the Fund. In the second, there was a reduction. And in the third cycle, even further reduction,” Gonsalves noted. Despite these reductions, he highlighted that some countries continue to show reluctance in making their assessed contributions.
Reaffirming his government’s commitment to regional solidarity, Prime Minister Gonsalves called on all CARICOM member states to do the same by upholding their responsibilities under the Revised Treaty and supporting the sustainability of the CDF.
thank you sir…teach them about regional integration. while jamaica and trinidad flooding our super markets with thier goods from manufacturing, we the smaller islands states still not benefiting from a fair balance of development. now we know why…smh. shame on. them hypocritical treaties
How can these self-styled leaders expect priority be given to contributions to a slush fund while ignoring that charity truly begins at home???