ST. JOHN’S, Antigua,– Antigua and Barbuda has become the first CARICOM Single Market Economy (CSME) nation to launch the CARICOM Online Company Registration System.
This project when completed enables Registrars of Companies to access information on companies and other legal entities exercising the Right of Establishment in the CSME. The project will also provide web interface to allow public access to the online system.
Minister of Legal Affairs Senator Joanne Massiah said the system would make it easier for persons and companies within the region to set up business in the country.
“This project represents a significant step in the CSME arrangement and is an example of the single market phase of the CSME. It is intended to support a key component of the CSME… being the right of establishment through the networking of all national registries and database of companies and other legal entities,” she said.
The CARICOM Secretariat as the manager of the Project has facilitated the recruitment of an Information Technology Specialist and a Data Entry Operator within the office of the Registrar of Companies in Antigua and Barbuda. This CARICOM Member State has also received assistance with database software for registering local companies.
“This project is one of the significant concrete initiatives under the programme of the CARICOM Secretariat to establish the CSME,” CARICOM Secretary General Ambassador Irwin LaRocque said.
“The project is expected to contribute to the operation of the CSME through the building of a secure IT infrastructure in member states and at the community level, to enhance the capacity and to enable registrars of companies to be networked in a regional repository of data and information on companies and other legal entities.”
The online system is expected to be completed by all 14 CARICOM countries by year end.  (Caribbean 360 News )