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Contact:
Claudia Monlouis
Monday, March 14, 2005 - Prime Minster, Hon. Dr. Kenny D. Anthony has
outlined the readiness of the region’s political directorate to forge ahead with
the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) and the Caribbean Single Market and Economy
(CSME). The Prime Minister said Caribbean leaders were very much concerned that
the process was being met with extensive apprehension, fear and resistance on
the part of the citizenry.
Dr. Anthony, who addressed the issue at the CLICO Group of Companies Annual
Awards on Saturday, March 12th, called on the citizens of CARICOM member states
to firmly support current moves toward integration.
“There must be the empowerment of people in order to enable them to contribute
creatively. The task before us is clear; we have to increase the momentum of the
regional integration process. We have to take difficult decisions which may not
appear too attractive to our individual small economies, but which are all too
necessary for our collective survivals”, Dr. Anthony said.
Dr. Anthony’s appeal came as CLICO Group of Companies publicly declared the over
- 68 year old institution ready to welcome the concept of one economic space.
President of the CLICO Group of Companies Mr. Leroy Parris said CLICO viewed the
CSME as a positive and vitally important aspect of the new regional order.
“The free movement of goods, services, people and capital”, he said, “unleashes
tremendous opportunities for over six million CARICOM Nationals, who will be in
a position to maximize their talents leading to stimulation of our economies,
greater efficiencies, higher standards and increased profits.”
The company’s board of directors expressed confidence and satisfaction with
Saint Lucia’s economic performance and viability. Mr. Parris said the favourable
statistics, along with CLICO’s significant investments on the island helped make
Saint Lucia the logical choice, when CLICO contemplated moving the Awards to the
Eastern Caribbean for the first time. Approximately 150 awards were presented to
both local and visiting staff and agents at the gala affair.
Related Links:
Full Speech made by Dr. Kenny D. Anthony
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