The achievement of full employment and an unprecedented level of economy prosperity for nationals are what citizens of Trinidad and Tobago can look forward to in 2006. This was part of Prime Minister Patrick Manning´s predictions as he delivered his New Year´s address to the nation over the weekend. According to the Prime Minister, activity in the construction and energy sectors and expansion in the island´s iron and steel industries have put the country on an accelerated path of economic growth.

Central American and US officials hoped the Central American Free Trade Agreement would take effect on January 1. But none of the region´s countries have passed the necessary legal and regulatory reforms, delaying indefinitely the start date for the historic union that will tear down trade barriers between the United States, Central America and the Dominican Republic.

The Caribbean Community confirmed Suriname´s membership in the Caribbean Single Market Economy (CSME) from January 2006. Justice Minister Chandrikapersad Santhoki said there will be some restrictions on the free movement of goods, services and workers and residency limited to six months as any other country. But CSME leader Wanya Illes and Industry and Commerce Minister Siegfried Gilds said they hope to knock down all restrictions on the first half of 2006. Since all fourteen CARICOM members signed the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, the CSME inauguration has been set for January 22 in Kingston, Jamaica.

Dominican exports grew to $860 million in 2005, an 18.5 percent increase compared to the same period in 2004, according to the Center for Exports and Investments (CEI-RD), as reported by El Caribe, a local newspaper. The increase is mostly owed to the US economy´s 4.4 percent recovery during 2004 and the foreign trade policy in anticipation of the FTA with the US market and Central America, two factors that generated greater dynamism in the productive and export sectors. Figures provided do not include free zone exports.

American Express and Nuevo Banco Comercial have signed an agreement under which the Uruguayan bank will affiliate new establishments to the American Express merchant network and issue American Express-branded products in the local market. This partnership is the first of its kind between American Express and a Uruguayan financial institution.

Prime ministers from the Caribbean Community economic bloc will inaugurate the region´s single trading market at a ceremony in Jamaica. Leonard Robertson, a spokesman for the 15-member Caribbean Community and Common Market, said recently that leaders will meet in Kingston, Jamaica on January 23 for the symbolic launch of the market.