TT’s Foreign Minister urges Caricom partners to maximise CSME benefits

Trinidad and Tobago’s Minister of Foreign and Caricom Affairs, Senator the Hon. Dr Amery Browne, has reaffirmed that the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME) is a robust framework for economic cooperation, resilience, and sustainable growth. As a result, Caricom members are being strongly encouraged to maximise its benefits.
He made this announcement recently during the opening of the National Consultations on CSME Implementation Arrangements and Procedures in Trinidad and Tobago.

According to Dr Browne, the CSME is more than just an economic structure; it embodies a shared vision of strength, unity, and prosperity for Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
He urged Caricom members to engage meaningfully with Caricom Secretariat officials, to ensure the timely implementation of relevant policies and agreements in their respective areas.
“With this in mind, I encourage my colleagues present to make full use of these National Consultations. Engage meaningfully with the Caricom Secretariat officials to ensure timely implementation in your respective areas, whether that be trade in goods, regional transportation, food security and nutrition, regional financial initiatives, or ratifying the requisite protocols. This platform can significantly boost our national efforts,” Dr Browne stated.
He also called on the private sector to recognise its critical role in the CSME, highlighting that full and free movement across the region enhances access to skilled labour, facilitates business growth, streamlines operations, and fosters meaningful regional business partnerships.
“To the private sector, your role in this process is equally important. Full and free movement expands access to skilled labour, facilitates business growth, streamlines operations, and fosters meaningful regional business partnerships. Your continued support for the CSME is vital to the success of our economic integration,” he emphasised.
Additionally, he urged continued collaboration between international organisations and regional bodies, stating that by sharing global best practices and leveraging international support, the region can drive innovation, attract investment, and position its economies for sustained growth in an increasingly competitive and uncertain world.
He also emphasised that the CSME represents Caricom’s collective goal of fostering an environment where businesses can thrive, investments can move freely, and people can work and contribute meaningfully across the region.
“The CSME is a testament to the principle that our greatest strength lies in collaboration and that by working together, we can achieve far more than we ever could alone,” said the Trinidad and Tobago Foreign Minister.
At its core, the CSME is built on five fundamental pillars: the free movement of labour, goods, capital, services, and the right of establishment, all of which create the foundation for a more dynamic and integrated regional economy.

A Transformative Milestone in Regional Integration
Significantly, this commitment extends beyond the facilitation of orderly migration; it ensures that Caricom nationals will benefit from essential social protections. These include guaranteed access to primary and secondary education, emergency and primary healthcare, the right to indefinite stay, and the right to work without a permit. This decision marks a transformative milestone in the region’s integration agenda, reinforcing Caricom’s commitment to fulfilling the vision of its founding fathers and delivering tangible benefits to its citizens.
Dr Browne concluded by entrusting the process to the capable hands of the CSME Unit in the Ministry, expressing confidence that they will continue to guide the initiative with dedication and expertise.
“I leave you in the capable hands of the outstanding team from the CSME Unit in the Ministry, who will undoubtedly steer this process with hard work and dedication. These national consultations present us with a unique and invaluable opportunity to refine our strategies, address any existing gaps, and work together on solutions that will help create a more cohesive and effective regional framework,” he stated.