CARICOM mulls establishment of regional law reform commission
Secretary-General of CARICOM, Irwin LaRocque
Secretary-General of CARICOM, Irwin LaRocque

– as countries intensify efforts to implement CSME

THE Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has agreed to work with development partners to establish a Regional Law Reform Commission, which will comprise eminent legal brains from across the Caribbean.

As the 40th Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM drew to a close on Friday, heads of government decided that in order to advance the implementation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), legislation is needed.

“Legislation is at the core of Governments and if we cannot prepare the policy and legislation necessary to bring about changes in the CSME, we will not see the level of progress which we are looking for,” said Chairperson of the Prime Ministerial Sub-Committee on the CSME and Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley, during a press briefing on Friday.

In order to intensify implementation of the CSME, she said CARICOM member states have to build capacity. As part of the effort, Associate Member of CARICOM, The Cayman Islands, has already agreed that its law reform commission will work with the community to develop the regional law reform body.

In addition to the law reform commission, several other issues regarding the CSME were aired during the course of the two-day conference.

The CSME is an arrangement among CARICOM states for the creation of a single enlarged economic space, through the removal of restrictions resulting in the free movement of goods, services, people, capital and technology.

Chairman of CARICOM and Prime Minister of St. Lucia, Allen Chastanet, said the community urged that as a matter of priority, member states should take necessary action at the national level to complete the measures outlined in the CSME implementation plan.
“We acknowledge the importance of timely reporting on implementation actions and challenges…there is no doubt that we must enhance efforts, public education and outreaches,” said Chastanet, adding that other steps were also taken to improve implementation of the CSME.

Among those other steps was the signing of the Multilateral Air Travel Agreement, which will soon be operational. Secretary-General of CARICOM, Irwin LaRocque, said the agreement is going to allow for member states to have a right to fly into other member states.

“Caribbean-owned aircraft will be able to fly into other countries based on certain standards being met, because it is not a matter of taking an aircraft and going into another country, but it is going to be a right of access to air services,” said LaRocque.

He said CARICOM has been discussing the agreement for some time and it is now agreed upon and member states have officially signed onto it.

The agreement will be operational once it receives the requisite number of signatures and ratifications. In addition to right of access, collaboration among countries — even those outside of CARICOM — will be easier as CAIRCOM established the African, Brazil and Caribbean Diaspora Commission. The commission will be chaired by Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Ralph Gonsalves and will comprise two other members, including Prime Minister Mottley and the President of Suriname, Dési Bouterse.

“We have common interest and they need to be bridged in a way that reinforces the options for economies,” said Mottley, adding that they needed a strategic approach. With all that was discussed and passed, the heads of government believe that CARICOM is finally getting to the core of the issues which are affecting the community.

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