THE importance of an agreement for products and tariff preferences between Cuba and CARICOM was discussed during the recent Inter-sessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM at the Marriott Hotel, Georgetown. Cuba’s Ambassador to Guyana, Julio Cesar Gonzalez Marchante, said the Second Additional Protocol of the Trade and Economic Cooperation Agreement, already started by both sides, is a tribute to the economic debate of a CARICOM summit.
The agreement includes 349 Caribbean products with free access to the Cuban market, while CARICOM will grant preferences to 86 Cuban products.
The Cuban ambassador pointed out that the Cuba-CARICOM agreement will be officialised in March in Havana, during a meeting of Caribbean foreign ministers.
At that meeting, CARICOM leaders will analyse regional security and international relations issues.
Also in attendance will be representatives of various institutions and international agencies including the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States, the Caribbean Tourism Organisation, the University of the West Indies, and the Caribbean Development Fund.
CARICOM is one of the longest surviving integration movements among developing countries. The original Treaty of Chaguaramas was signed on July 4, 1973, in honour of the birthday of Norman Washington Manley, a leading advocate of the West Indies Federation and one of Jamaica’s national heroes.
The treaty and its annex (setting out the details of the Common Market Arrangements) came into effect on August 1, 1973. Since 2001, the Community has been functioning within the framework of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas including the establishment of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME).
CARICOM has made strides, particularly through functional cooperation in education, health, culture and security. Despite some challenges, the single market still functions and remains a respected voice in international affairs.