Caricom Intersessional HoG meeting opens today

The 28th Intersessional meeting of the Caricom Heads of Government opens today at the Marriott International Hotel, in Georgetown.
Guyana’s Head of State and Caricom Chairman, David Granger, will chair the two-day proceedings which will see Heads of the 15 member states discussing issues of national and regional importance. 66
The event opens today at 09:00h and remarks will be delivered by Caricom Secretary General Irwin LaRocque; outgoing Chairman of the Conference of Heads of Government, Dominican Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit; and President David Granger.
During the two-day confab, some major issues which will headline the forum include the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME), crime and security in the region and economic development and international relations.
The Secretary General said on Monday the CSME remains undoubtedly the best vehicle to promote economic growth and development and integration.
“The focus on that aspect of our integration is key at this time as our member states seek to maximise opportunities for growth,” LaRocque said. He noted that fully utilising the provisions of the CSME will help all prospects for growth. The Ambassador said while there has been significant progress made in the area of a “single market”, more still needs to be done for the “single economy.”
Last July, at the 37th Regular meeting of the Conference of the Caricom Heads of Government, regional leaders had asked for a review of the CSME. This review will be presented at the confab this week, LaRocque assured.
Meanwhile, LaRocque said crime and security continues to pose a threat to the community. He said it is not just a national issue in individual countries, as it also affects Caricom as a whole.
“It’s a regional problem and hence it requires a regional solution. You can very well appreciate that with the movement of people and free movement of cargo and the like the transport of crime, it is something that needs to be addressed”.
He said Caricom will continue to look at what can be done to address the issue at both the national and regional level, and will be pursuing more options as it seeks to reduce the level of criminal activities in the Region.
Other areas of special interests include the Guyana and Venezuela and Belize and Guatemala border controversies and the Information and Communication Technology (ICT). ICT he said while it is a sector, it is also an enabler of the economy. Heads of Government over a year ago had recommended that the region begin pursuing a single ICT space which will include largely regional harmonised ICT polices legislations, regulations, technical standards and best practices along with network and services. This, he said, will effect roaming rates and provide for a single record as well as address spectrum and broadband matters.
Where economic development is concerned, LaRocque said Caricom will be looking at corresponding banking, which also has an impact on financial transactions including trade and remittances.
“In general, we have mounted a very active advocacy initiative and we have at least raised the awareness and engaged in discussions with various parties regarding the plights of the region with regard to the withdrawal of correspondence banking.”
Meanwhile, LaRocque said heads will also look at a number of issues emerging internationally. He said the new issues on that front require that Heads of State strategise how the interest of the community could be best served. He was asked specifically about Caricom’s intention to engage on the immigration policies enforced in the United States by the Donald Trump Administration.
“Our discussion will centre on how do we engage to advance those issues that are critical to us going forward. That will be the tenure of the discussion that we’ll be having”.