…PM Browne hails contributions to economy

By Svetlana Marshall
Antigua and Barbuda has gone well beyond its treaty commitments to allow for the free movement of skilled nationals, and Guyanese are reaping significant benefits, that country’s Prime Minister Gaston Browne said on Tuesday.Minutes after exiting CARICOM’s first Business Plenary at the Guyana Pegasus Hotel, Prime Minister Browne told local journalists that Antigua and Barbuda is among Member States leading the way in the promotion of the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME).
“We have gone beyond our treaty commitments to allow for the free movement of skilled nationals,” he said while adding that the Antigua and Barbuda has even opened up its economic and social space to unskilled nationals to work and live. “So we have gone way beyond the call of duty to facilitate the movement of the Caribbean people,” Prime Minister Browne emphasised. But Antigua and Barbuda’s involvement in CSME is not just limited to the free movement of labour – the country as part of its trade arrangements has been importing a number of products from CARICOM countries. “So our commitment to CARICOM integration I believe is extremely strong and can be seen in very tangible ways.”
His comments come exactly one year after, Antigua and Barbuda was granted an extension to its five-year exemption from the free movement agreement for domestic workers established under the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME). CARICOM Heads of Government had granted the country a three year extension as against the five year extension requested. The CSME forms a major part of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas. At the time, the Antiguan Prime minister had argued that the need for exemption was more pressing than when it was first granted more than five years ago. Nevertheless, in turning his attention to the contributions made by Guyanese to his homeland, Prime Minister Browne said Guyanese continue to play a critical role in the development of Antigua and Barbuda’s economy.
“Guyanese living in Antigua and Barbuda have been making significant contributions towards the advancement of our country, and many of them, they bring skills to our country, some bring capital, and generally speaking they have been law abiding citizens,” he reported.
According to the Prime Minister, Guyanese make up 15 to 20 per cent of the country’s population of 90,000 people. “So with that level of Guyanese residency and citizenship, clearly they are a well-integrated part of the country’s population. They continue to make their contributions in various sectors of the economy and we are very appreciative of the level of cooperation and their contributions,” he added.
He said while many are pessimistic about the future of CARICOM, Antigua and Barbuda will continue to be optimistic. “We have always been at the fore front of the integration movement, you will recall that back in 1966, when CARIFTA was formed it was Guyana, Barbados and Antigua and Barbuda that started it…So we will continue to play our role, we will continue to be a part of the decision making process, to influence growth and development of the Caribbean Regional Integration.
Prime Minister Browne is here in Guyana along with other Heads of Government and Regional Leaders participating in the 37th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).