(CARICOM Secretariat, Georgetown, Guyana) As Member States of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) prepare for the full implementation of the CARICOM Single Market (CSM) by 31 December 2005, specific attention is being given to the area of Standards to ensure that CARICOM countries can compete effectively in the international market arena.
This point was emphasised by CARICOM Secretary-General H.E Edwin Carrington in his welcome remarks at a seminar on Standards at the CARICOM Secretariat on Wednesday 28 September. The forum was sponsored jointly by the CARICOM Secretariat and the CARICOM Regional Organisation for Quality and Standards (CROSQ) under the theme CROSQ: Supporting the Competitiveness of CARICOM Goods and Services.
Mr. Carrington reminded the audience that the preparation of the economies of Member States of the Community for eventual integration into the new global economy is one of the Community’s principal tasks. “The route, we as CARICOM have chosen is the establishment of a Single Market and Economy. This involves the creation of a single enlarged economic space which provides for the free movement of goods, services, skilled labour, capital and the right of establishment,” stated Mr Carrington.
He added that given the importance of this objective, specific provision is made in the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas in Article 67 to deal with the important underlying issue of the standards and technical regulations which would be required for this goal to be achieved.
“Given the pervasive nature of standardisation, underpinning as it does, so many of the important areas of focus of the Community, there is obvious need for a concomitant enhancement of the interaction and collaboration between and among the institutions of the Community. This points to the critical role that CROSQ must play in the development of our Community,” the CARICOM Secretary-General added.
The Regional Standards body was established two years ago and plays a central role in the area of Standards as the Region moves towards the implementation of the CARICOM Single Market.
“Our goal of achieving a Single Market by January 2006 and a Single Economy by 2008, if it is to be achieved requires a full team effort. CROSQ’s role in this endeavour is important, indeed a formidable one, if we are to achieve the level of competitiveness required, a secured position in the international market place. It is to this end that I invite you to turn your efforts, as you deliberate on CROSQ’s role in that process,” the Secretary-General concluded.
