CARICOM Ministers and US Congress reps meet in Miami

THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL of the Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery (RNM), Ambassador Dr Richard Bernal, called for an enhancement of the economic partnership between CARICOM and the United States, “based on interdependence and mutuality of benefits.”  He made these remarks at a forum organised and hosted by the Inter-American Economic Council (IAEC), in Miami. In a presentation on “Special and Differential Treatment (S&DT) for the Caribbean in the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA),” Ambassador Bernal underscored that S&DT for the small developing economies of CARICOM “is an essential part of such an enhanced partnership.” The forum brought together CARICOM Trade Ministers and members of the United States Caribbean Congressional Caucus (CCC), with a view to deepening the level of engagement.  The agenda of the meeting centred on strengthening relations between CARICOM and the United States.

Welcome remarks were delivered by President of the IAEC, Barry Featherman, and by Dame Billie Miller, Senior Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Barbados. Dame Billie highlighted that the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) is pivotal to the region’s development thrust.  She indicated that there is “scope for the US and CARICOM to actively cooperate in making the CSME a reality.” 
In reference to the US Third Border Initiative, she acknowledged the “range of development-based programmes” in a variety of areas critically important to the region.  However, the senior Barbadian Minister noted that it seemed to be “suffering from the lack of adequate funding to implement the programmes in the respective areas.” 

“We must not allow this opportunity to assist the Caribbean in its development efforts to come to naught,” she cautioned. Dr Bernal highlighted that CARICOM countries are forging ahead with development strategies.  “Stronger partnership with the United States, however, could help reinforce the development prospects of the region,” he said. Congressman Gregory W Meeks chaired a session — a wide-ranging dialogue on non-trade issues — between CARICOM Ministers and Congressional representatives.  He characterised the forum as “very useful.”  Congressman Meeks stressed that “the participation of CARICOM Ministers and Congressional representatives will go a long way in improving understanding; and that understanding will assist representatives in proposing legislation supportive of the region’s agenda.” CARICOM Member States represented at the meeting included Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Jamaica, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago.