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Contact :
Claudia Monlouis
 Monday, January 05, 2004 – As the New Year begins, the Caribbean Single
Market and Economy CSME continues to be the watchword for Caricom governments as
they prepare for the establishment of a new system of economic unity.
Saint Lucia for its part through the Ministry of Commerce, Investment and
Consumer Affairs is at present involved in developing a number of measures for
the coming on of the new system. During a recent television discussion with the
Government Information Service, Director of Commerce and Industry Titus Preville
and Trade Advisor McDonald Dixon spoke to the far reaching impact that the CSME
is expected to have on the entire Caribbean.
According to the Trade Advisor the CSME holds very promising possibilities for
the region. “The most urgent interest in my view is getting the CSME off the
ground. It would provide a larger trading bloc for the area and give us a pool
of resources, possibly that we never had before in order to negotiate between
the various external affairs, particularly in the FTAA.”
However the Director of Commerce believes there is an important distinction
between the formation of a single market and a single economy. “We are looking
at forming a single market and a single economy. They’re not the same. The
single market presupposes or what is involved in that is the establishment one
economic space. The same way if you live in Gros Islet and you want to work in
Vieux Fort all you do is drive across and you get to work. That is what a single
market is supposed to be. It means the free movement of persons, of capital, of
skills, the right to establish a business and conduct business without any
impediment along the way,” Preville explained.
Preville further explained that although the CSME is not fully operational.
There are elements which are already being successfully implemented such as the
free movement of nationals within the Caricom region.
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