CARICOM Single Market and Economy and Free Movement
The CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) has been established to deepen regional integration, drive sustained economic development and build economic resilience within the Caribbean Community. It aims to create a single economic space, deepen and increase intra-regional trade, enhance the competitiveness of the private sector and support sustainable production and job creation. The CSME also seeks to address the structural constraint of small market size by creating a single market through the integration of production and supply chains and the aggregation of the markets of the participating Member States. The CSME also promotes food security and supply chain resilience. The ultimate goal of the CSME is to create the conditions for stronger economic growth and development and improvement in the lives of the people of the Community.
Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley, Lead Head of Government in the CARICOM Quasi Cabinet on the CSME
To advance the decision of the Heads of Government for free movement of all CARICOM nationals, there was agreement at the 48th Meeting of the Conference that Member States that have not yet done so, should sign the Protocol on Enhanced Cooperation by 31 March 2025 to enable its provisional application. The Protocol has now been signed, and this will allow Member States that are willing to move ahead with free movement of all Community nationals to do so.
CARICOM Heads of Government also agreed that implementation of free movement of all Community nationals will include the minimum guarantees for primary and secondary education, and emergency and primary health care.
Trinidad and Tobago chairs an open-ended working group of Foreign Ministers which the Heads of Government established as part of the suite of measures being undertaken to fulfill the full free movement mandate. The working group, which includes Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, is addressing:
CARICOM Heads of Government also agreed that implementation of free movement of all Community nationals will include the minimum guarantees for primary and secondary education, and emergency and primary health care.
Trinidad and Tobago chairs an open-ended working group of Foreign Ministers which the Heads of Government established as part of the suite of measures being undertaken to fulfill the full free movement mandate. The working group, which includes Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, is addressing:
- mutual recognition of driver’s licenses
- development of insurance products to cover vehicles in multiple countries
- harmonisation of customs and phytosanitary regulations to support the movement of people and goods throughout the Region by way of maritime transport
The CSME Involves:
1. Integration of five core Free Movement regimes for the creation of a single market and development of protocols for public procurement, free zones, free circulation, e-commerce, and contingent rights.
2. Macro-economic policy coordination and harmonisation to support competitive production.
3. Production integration and sector development in agriculture, manufacturing, and services.
Flyer on the launch of an E-Application for CSME Skilled Certificates in Trinidad and Tobago
The CSME involves:
(i) the integration of the five core Free Movement regimes for the creation of a single market as well as the protocols being developed under the built-in agenda (public procurement, free zones, free circulation, e-commerce and contingent rights (Article 239);
(ii) macro-economic policy coordination and harmonization supportive of competitive production; and
(iii) production integration and sector development – agriculture, manufacturing and services.
(i) the integration of the five core Free Movement regimes for the creation of a single market as well as the protocols being developed under the built-in agenda (public procurement, free zones, free circulation, e-commerce and contingent rights (Article 239);
(ii) macro-economic policy coordination and harmonization supportive of competitive production; and
(iii) production integration and sector development – agriculture, manufacturing and services.
Barbados's PM and other government officials preparing for the 18th Special Heads of Government Meeting on the CSME, December 2018
Prime Minister John Briceno participating in the 11th Meeting of the Prime Ministerial Sub-committee on the CSME to look closely at accelerating the region’s implementation of the CSME, June 2021
The full functioning of the CSME will be underpinned by strong competition law and policy, consumer protection, intellectual property rights, ICT, and transportation.
CSME is governed by principles of non-discrimination and most-favoured-nation (MFN) treatment.
The five core regimes of the Single Market are: • Free Movement of Goods meeting the Rules of Community Origin without unauthorised barriers.
• Free Movement of Community nationals across twelve categories without work permits and visas.
• Right of Establishment for businesses by CARICOM nationals.
• Free Movement of Services by CARICOM non-wage earners/self-employed.
• Free Movement of Capital without exchange controls and with currency convertibility
CSME is governed by principles of non-discrimination and most-favoured-nation (MFN) treatment.
The five core regimes of the Single Market are: • Free Movement of Goods meeting the Rules of Community Origin without unauthorised barriers.
• Free Movement of Community nationals across twelve categories without work permits and visas.
• Right of Establishment for businesses by CARICOM nationals.
• Free Movement of Services by CARICOM non-wage earners/self-employed.
• Free Movement of Capital without exchange controls and with currency convertibility