CARICOM Heads of Government last night issued a declaration on the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME) which includes a commitment to amend the revised Treaty of Chaguaramas to include as associate institutions: representative bodies of Private Sector and Labour and it also defines new categories of skilled workers eligible for free movement.
The St Ann’s Declaration on the CSME was issued following the 18th special meeting of the conference of Heads of Government held in Trinidad and Tobago from December 3-4. It provides for a formalized, structured mechanism to facilitate dialogue between the councils of the Community and the private sector and labour.
Heads of State have, according to the declaration, agreed to finalise a regime that permits citizens and companies of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to participate in the Public Procurement processes in member states by the year 2019 and have signaled their intention to take the steps necessary to allow for mutual recognition of companies incorporated in a CARICOM member state.