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GRAND ANSE DECLARATION AND WORK PROGRAMME FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF THE INTEGRATION MOVEMENT, JULY 1989, GRAND ANSE, GRENADA

 
At this our Tenth Meeting here in Grenada, we, the Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community inspired by the spirit of cooperation and solidarity among us are moved by the need to work expeditiously together to deepen the integration process and strengthen the Caribbean Community in all of its dimensions to respond to the challenges and opportunities presented by the changes in the global economy. Accordingly, we set out a work programme and specific initiatives to be implemented over the next four years.

The Common Market

We are determined to work towards the establishment, in the shortest possible time, of a single market and economy for the Caribbean Community. To that end, we shall ensure that the following steps are taken not later than 4 July 1993, taking into account the need for the continuance of Special Measures for the LDCs:

(1) The three Common Market Instruments required by the Treaty of Chaguaramas – the Common External Tariff, the Rules of Origin, and a Harmonised Scheme of Fiscal Incentives – fully revised, agreed and effective by January 1991;

(2) customs cooperation and our Customs Administrations strengthened to prepare ourselves for movement towards a Customs Union;

(3) the signature by all of us to the Agreement establishing the CARICOM Industrial Programming Scheme (CIPS) by 30 September 1989;

(4) the enactment, by January 1990 of the legislation required to give effect to CIPS and the CARICOM Enterprise Regime (CER);

(5) a scheme for the movement of capital introduced by 1993 starting with the cross-listing and trading of securities on existing stock exchange;

(6) technical work to commence immediately on the establishment of a regional Equity/Venture Capital Fund;

(7) the CARICOM Multilateral Clearing Facility strengthened and re-established for current and capital transactions by December 1990;

(8) further arrangements for intensifying consultation and cooperation on monetary, financial and exchange rate policies by July 1990;

(9) the removal of all remaining barriers to trade by July 1991;

(10) immediate activation of Article 39 of the Annex to the Treaty of Chaguaramas in order to promote consultation, cooperation and coordination of policies at the macro-economic, sectoral and project levels;

(11) arrangements by January 1991 for the free movement of skilled and professional personnel as well as for contract workers on a seasonal or project basis;

(12) immediate and continuing action to develop, by 4 July 1992, a regional system of air and sea transportation including the pooling of resources by existing air and sea carriers conscious that such a system is indispensable to the development of a Single Market and Community;

(13) greater collective effort for joint representation in international economic negotiations and the sharing of facilities and offices to this end, with immediate effect.

Development Issues

In examining the longer term prospects for development, we recognize the primary importance of Human Resource Development and the expansion of scientific and technological capability to the modernisation of the regional economy.

Accordingly, we adopted the resolution in Annex I on Human Resource Development and the University of the West Indies (UWI) which among other things recognises the pivotal role of the UWI and enshrines our commitment that it shall continue indefinitely as a regional institute.

Human Resource Development is of special value in the exploitation of new opportunities arising in the services sector through the development of information technology. We consider these possibilities to hold significant potential for economic growth and development. Accordingly, we shall initiate immediately, consultations with the private sector, trade unions and education institutions to determine the specific strategies for taking full advantage of these opportunities.

We are conscious that people, rather than institutions, are the creators and producers of development. We acknowledge the special roles of the private sector, the trade union movement, the regional universities, the religious organisations, women and youth organisations, the various professions, other non-governmental organisations and people of all walks and conditions of life in moving CARICOM forward.

In this connection, we agree to take the following steps:

(i) The establishment of an Assembly of Caribbean Community Parliamentarians and of a Ministerial group to work out the modalities.

(ii) The establishment of an Independent West Indian Commission for Advancing the Goals of the Treaty of Chaguaramas as agreed in the Resolution at Annex II.

(iii) The convening of a Caribbean Economic Conference as agreed in the Resolution at Annex III.

(iv) The elimination, by December 1990, of the requirement for passports for CARICOM nationals travelling to other CARICOM countries.

(v) The elimination of the requirement for work permits for CARICOM nationals beginning with the visual and performing arts, sports and the media travelling to CARICOM countries for specific regional events. 

(vi) The organising of a series of events around 1992 to highlight our achievements in the areas of sports, the performing arts, literature and other areas of cultural endeavour, business and commerce and education. The series will commence with the staging of CARIFESTA in 1991 and include a major Trade fair early in 1992 in Trinidad and Tobago.

We are acutely aware of the fragility of the environment on which our economies rest and of the myriad threats to that environment from internal and external actions and activities. To protect our environment, we support all international initiatives to safeguard the global environment and strongly endorse the Port-of-Spain Accord on the Management and Conservation of the Caribbean Environment by our own Ministers responsible for conservation of the Environment.

Machinery for Intergovernmental Consultations

In order to ensure the full and timely implementation of the programme set out above, we shall intensify and make more frequent the contact and consultations among ourselves. We shall meet as often as necessary to advance the decision making and the implementation of this programme.
 
Issued at the Tenth Meeting of the
Conference of Heads of Government of the
Caribbean Community, Grand Anse, Grenada.

July 1989.


Annex I

GRAND ANSE RESOLUTION ON HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT AND THE UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES

Heads of Government:

Deeply conscious of the critical importance of upgrading human resources at all levels and of enhancing the scientific and technological capability of the Region if it is to overcome the present economic challenges and avail itself of the opportunities unfolding in the Global Economy in the Twenty-First Century;

Aware that tertiary education institutions have a pivotal role to play in enlarging and improving education, training and retraining opportunities in all of the countries of the Region, and in this context, acknowledging that the University of the West Indies must give leadership in these efforts;

Also aware of the rapid growth in knowledge-based industries and the need for a close working relationship between the tertiary training institutions and the goods and service sectors;

Recognising the physical and technical capacities in the regional universities for technology planning as well as for research and development and commercialisation of new technologies, in particular biotechnology, computer software and information systems and materials sciences;

Also conscious of the urgent need to upgrade management, personnel and systems through comprehensive education and training programmes and of the work being developed in the regional universities;

Agreed that Government should support the regional Universities in mobilising resources–both from private sources and donor institutions and agencies – for expanding access to University education and for developing programmes and activities in science, technology and related fields;

Called upon Governments to encourage donor countries, to the maximum extent possible, to make their scholarship and other training awards tenable at the University of the West Indies which, among other things, could contribute to reducing the costs of the University’s operations that have to be financed by contributing Governments;

Also called upon donors wherever appropriate to make their awards tenable at the University of Guyana;

Decided that, in view of the major role which the University of the West Indies is being called upon to play, it should remain a regional institution indefinitely.


Annex II

GRAND ANSE RESOLUTION ON PREPARING THE PEOPLES OF THE WEST INDIES FOR THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY

CARIFESTA (1991) AND QUINCENTENNIAL (1992)

Heads of Government:

Fully supported the idea of maximizing the opportunities of CARIFESTA (1991) and the Quincentennial celebrations (1992) for the expression of the creative genius of the Caribbean people, for promotion of awareness of common history, identity and common destiny, and for projecting achievements in the Region in the fields of literature, the creative arts, sports, culture, politics, economic and human development;

Accepted the proposal for the establishment of a commission of eminent West Indians to promote the purposes outlined in the paper with special emphasis on the process of public consultation and involvement of the peoples of CARICOM through leaders, teachers, writers, intellectuals, creative artistes, businessmen, sportsmen, trade unionists, churches and other community organisations.

Further agreed as follows:

    1. that no later than 1 October 1989, the Commission be established as an Independent West Indian Commission for Advancing the Goals of the Treaty of Chaguaramas and report to Heads of Government prior to their meeting in 1992;
    1. that the Chairman of the Commission be Sir Shridath Ramphal;
    1. that the Secretary-General of CARICOM and the Director-General of OECS be ex-officio members of the Commission;
    1. that the Chairman of the Commission should consult with Heads of Government of Member States with a view to appointing the other members of the Commission as soon as possible; and
  1. that the Commission should establish a budget for its work and be empowered to seek contributions to its budget from Member States and external sources.

Annex III

GRAND ANSE RESOLUTION ON PREPARING THE PEOPLES OF THE WEST INDIES FOR THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY

PROPOSAL FOR A CARIBBEAN ECONOMIC CONFERENCE

Heads of Government:

Welcomed the proposals for a Caribbean Economic Conference and the ideas and proposals outlined in papers “Preparing Caribbean Economies for the Twenty-First Century – A Proposal for a Caribbean Economic Conference” and “The West Indies: Beyond 1992” presented by the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago;

Endorsed the holding of a Conference in 1990 along the lines proposed;

Agreed to set in motion in their respective countries preparations for the Conference; and

Directed the Secretary-General of CARICOM to follow up this matter with regional Governments and other interested parties.


Annex IV

STATEMENT ON CARIBBEAN BASIN INITIATIVE (CBI)

Heads of Government welcomed the information that, on 1 June 1989 the Ways and Means Committee of the United States House of Representatives “marked up” the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act or the CBI 11. They were particularly encouraged, that in its present form, the Bill addresses a number of concerns which they have, on several occasions, brought to the attention of the United States Administration and Congress.

They were greatly encouraged by the incorporation of provisions for the indefinite extension of the CBI; the improvement in the treatment for garment and textiles and of non-leather products; the guaranteed minimum quota for sugar and the non-aggregation of Caribbean products in the investigation of injury to US industry.

They were particularly heartened that Congress had recognised the need for special provisions for the OECS Members and Belize, for Tourism and for Education and Training.

In welcoming the progress of the Bill, Heads of Government recognised that there were still additional steps to be taken in the legislative process. They were, however, satisfied that the broad-based bi-partisan support which has emerged for the Bill, at all stages, will ensure final approval in its present form.

Heads of Government took the opportunity to place on record their appreciation of the efforts of the President and the Administration and of Congressman Sam Gibbons, Senator Bob Graham, and the other “Friends of the Caribbean” in mobilising support for the Bill.

They look forward to its early passage into legislation in its present form.

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