CARICOM Chairman Praises Regional Integration as the Way Forward

Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, and Chairman of CARICOM, Denzil Douglas has, once again, come out in support of regional integration, describing it as the way forward for sustainable economic development within the Caribbean.

“I am of the view that the future of the Caribbean has to be grounded in its ability to effectively integrate in such a manner as to affect workable strategies that inform our foreign affairs and trade policies, and overall development strategies in an increasingly competitive world,” he said.

He pointed out that the issue within the Caribbean was one about sustainable development, especially in recognition of the size and limitations of the countries of the region, in natural and fiscal resources.

Dr Douglas was addressing the 8th Congress of the World Federation of Consuls in Montego Bay on last week.

He said that the issues of market size, capacity weaknesses, shortcomings in institutional structures and systems and productivity would be central in shaping the development agenda for the Caribbean community.

The Chairman emphasized that the countries of the region were forging ahead with a very positive spirit, to ensure that regional development is sustainable.

He also asserted that competitiveness within the world economy and other geo-political trends combined, made the economic environment for the development of the Caribbean region very challenging.