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OECS Economic Union launch set for the Derek Walcott Square on Monday 17 November 2008


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Contact: Office of the Prime Minister

 

Wednesday,  November 12, 2008 –  The National Economic Union Task Force and the Office of the Prime Minister are in the process of finalizing plans for the Launch of the Public Discussions on OECS Economic Union.  The launch will take place at the Derek Walcott Square at 6:00 pm on Monday 17 November 2008.   

 

The National Economic Union Task Force is chaired by Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary for CARICOM, OECS and Diaspora Affairs, Dr June Soomer, with membership comprising representatives of the Private Sector, the Labour Movement, the OECS Economic Union Unit, the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Integration, the Church, the GIS, the Media, Youth Organisations and Women’s Organisations and other representatives of civil society.

 

The Acting Governor General will be in attendance and invitations have been extended to other OECS Heads of Government, their representatives and their OECS Ambassadors to attend the launch.  Other specially invited guests are Dr. Len Ishmael Director General of the OECS, Sir Dwight Venner, Chairman of the OECS Economic Union Task Force, members of the Diplomatic Corps, members of the Public Service and Private Sector and Church leaders.

 

The OECS is hoping to establish a full fledged Economic Union, which will include existing features of the integration process, such as the Monetary Union and the single supreme court. In addition to these it will include:

  • The free movement of all classes of labour

  • The free circulation of all commodities (i.e. both of domestic and non-domestic origins).
  • The of OECS nationals right to establish business and provide services anywhere in the sub region; and 
  • A highly evolved system of policy coordination and harmonization, which will result in joint systems and actions to address common issues.

The general public is invited to attend Monday’s launch in large numbers and to participate in the beginning of the discussions on OECS Economic Union.  The consultations will continue during the upcoming year throughout the island and among St Lucians in the Diaspora. Other member states which have commenced their public consultations include Montserrat, Dominica and St Vincent and the Grenadines, with the others expected to follow soon.  The OECS Member States are expected to move to full Economic Union in December 2009.


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