Dominica All Set for CARICOM Single Market, Senior Trade Official Says

Trade Officer Floyd Capitolin believes Dominica is the OECS member country best prepared for the implementation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), scheduled to take effect June 2006.

The CSME is designed to represent a single economic space where people, goods, services and capital can move freely. This will require the harmonization and coordination of social, economic and trade policies by participating Member States.

According to Mr. Capitolin, Dominica has already amended seven of its laws to remove restrictions and be in a position to accommodate the move.

Dominica has also introduced CARICOM passports, as part of its move toward the regional integration, but still has to amend at least four pieces of legislation to accommodate the process.

CARICOM Communication Specialist Salas Hamilton says one of the biggest obstacles for the implementation of the CSME is public education, a concern also raised by Professor Neville Duncan.