Saint Lucia launches public discussion on OECS Economic Union
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Contact: Julita Peter Tuesday, November 18, 2008 – OECS member states are pressing-on steadily towards the establishment of an OECS Economic Union. The process includes a series of community consultations and dialogue, spearheaded by the National Task Force on the OECS Economic Union, which has been set up in each island.
Saint Lucia’s National Task Force launched its community sensitization programme on the evening of Monday November 17th, at the Derek Walcott Square. Chairperson of the National Task Force Dr. June Soomer said from its establishment in October 2008, the task force has committed itself to interface with all communities, interest groups, schools, and organized groups, ensuring that Saint Lucians have a voice in the process over the next year.
“The next steps will commence in January 2009 and will ensure that information will reach the entire public. We believe that this partnership will undertake very successful dialogue in these places, and will ensure that the voices of the people of Saint Lucia will be reflected in the final report on the OECS Economic Union,” Dr. Soomer said as she addressed Monday’s gathering.
Governor of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank and Chairman of the OECS Task Force on OECS Economic Union, Sir Dwight Venner was also among the line-up of speech makers at the Derek Walcott Square. The current international economic crises, according to Sir Dwight, have given even greater urgency to the OECS Economic Union. This latest initiative by the OECS, will among other things, serve as a forum for discussion on constitutional, political and economic changes—a forum Sir Dwight believes is necessary for the successful participation of member states in the regional and global economies.
“Given the extremely small size of the countries there are major questions of common concerns and there is need to create a common and greater economic and financial space to resolve them as well as greater social spaces for the region’s people to express their abilities. We also require asserting critical mass to move our societies forward, failing which, stagnation and decline will quickly follow,” Sir Dwight added.
Prime Minister Honourable Stephenson King has lauded the efforts of former Prime Minister of Saint Lucia Honourable Dr. Kenny Anthony, for initiating the decision to establish an economic union, in an address “Transcending critical constraints,” which he delivered four years ago.
“In this address, he reminded the leadership of the member states that the OECS countries now have to face some of the most challenging times and circumstances in our recent and economic history. The current urgent circumstances therefore require a deepening and strengthening of the relationship among small islands. Your input, your creativity and your foresight is essential in guiding this process to success,” Prime Minister King said.
OECS member states have demonstrated their ability to successfully undertake projects and programmes collectively, and have a model of integration, which OECS Director General Dr. Len Ishmael said is unique. Dr. Ishmael encouraged the Saint Lucian public to participate in the public discussions, and said they now have the chance to influence the process which will in no small way shape the region’s future.
“At the end of the day; however, the proposed Economic Union will not be a miracle pill that can magically cure all of the ills that challenge the OECS, but it is a step in the right direction. It will require some adjustment on the part of all of us, but the benefits will far outweigh the cost. At the national level, notions of national sovereignty will have to be adjusted to accommodate the requirements of a single economic space,” Dr. Ishmael noted. |
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