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Contact:
Primus Hutchinson
Wednesday, April 14, 2004 - St. Lucia and other CARICOM member states are
working feverishly towards implementation of the Caribbean Single Market and
Economy (CSME).
That’s the view being expressed by External Trade Advisor at the Ministry of
Commerce, Investment and Consumer Affairs, Mr. Calixte Leon.
In a Government Information Service (GIS) Issues and Answers programme, Mr. Leon
says St. Lucia has signed and ratified the revised treaty governing the CSME,
and is currently in the process of safeguarding this treaty in its domestic
legislation via the Attorney General’s office.
Mr. Leon points out that in order to facilitate the free movement of the factors
of production, there are a number of restrictive measures within the existing
legislations that will need to be reviewed and corrected. According to the
senior Government official, the Cabinet of Ministers has appointed a review
committee under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister, Honourable Dr. Kenny
Anthony, resulting in the formation of a CSME Unit in the Ministry of Commerce.
“We have for example, passed the relevant legislation in respect of the free
movement of some skilled persons in the region, for example university graduates
and artistes”. Mr. Leon said.
He explained that St. Lucia had also established its own national standards body
and had signed the agreement in respect of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).
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