CMC-Grenada has taken a decision to mark the 50th anniversary of the regional integration movement, CARICOM, with a national holiday on July 4, acknowledging the importance of the regional grouping to Caribbean socio-economic development,<\/p>\n
Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell said that Cabinet had agreed to a request from CARICOM for member states to mark the significance of the occasion on July 4.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe treaty of Chaguaramas created CARICOM. Dominica is the incoming chair of CARICOM, but Dominica graciously agreed in light of the fact that CARICOM will be celebrating its 50th\u00a0anniversary to have that occasion marked in Trinidad.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo on the third and fourth of July, CARICOM will be gathering in Trinidad to mark the 50th\u00a0anniversary of CARICOM,\u201d he told television viewers, adding\u201d at the Cabinet level, we discussed, as was proposed by CARICOM that the fourth of July should be made a national holiday in commemoration of the 50th\u00a0anniversary of CARICCOM.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe cabinet of St Kitts-Nevis has already proceeded to do so and we are happy to join with our brothers and sisters and other CARICOM countries in celebrating CARICOM because despite its shortcomings, despite some of the challenges, I think all would agree we are better off together, united and continuing to forge ahead\u2026than trying to go it alone\u201d.<\/p>\n
Mitchell, who was being interviewed on the first anniversary of his government coming to office last June, told viewers that \u201cwe certainly want to celebrate and mark the accomplishments of CARICOM.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe do recognise the need to continue forging stronger relations within CARCOM, within the OECS (Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States) as well,\u201d Mitchell said, adding that he is very passionate about an economic union within the sub-grouping as well as the wider CARICOM region.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve talked about the need to improve the movement of people, the movement of goods and the movement of capital in particular \u2026and as recently as today we were contemplating a policy \u2026to remove the Alien Landing Holding Licence requirement for citizens of the OECS in order for them to acquire land in Grenada.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you are able to work in Grenada as an OECS citizen and you have the funds then you should be able to purchase land, to invest\u2026,\u201d Mitchell said, adding that Dominica, St Vincent and the Grenadines and St Lucia have already undertaken such reforms.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are very keen on wanting to dismantle some of the artificial restrictions that we cling on to and I think that has hindered the economic development within the OECS,\u201d he said, noting that if it means progressing individually until the union comes into being.<\/p>\n
On the issue of regional transportation, Mitchell said while there have been some \u201cintense discussions\u201d among the regional leaders regarding intra-regional travel given the demise of the Antigua-based regional airline, LIAT, \u201cno doubt it is challenging.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe truth is it requires some private sector investment as well. There is no way that the government alone can provide these funds. So what the Caribbean Development Bank is seeking to do is to present all options from a fully funded regional state-owned enterprise to one which we partner with \u2026leveraging different assets<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is without question, a long slow difficult climb and we have to continue advocating and I think the more we can spur economic activity among us the easier it becomes for private sector persons and even governments to justify the spend on regional travel\u201d.<\/p>\n
Mitchell said at the CARICOM level discussions have been held as to whether the use of fast ferries would be a good option to help in moving people, goods and services across the region.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat is ongoing, it has to be funded,\u201d he said, noting that some routes have already been examined.<\/p>\n
Mitchell said Trinidad and Tobago is leading the discussions and the issue of funding is also a consideration.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut I am not going to pretend, it is not proving to be an easy thing…I know Caribbean Airlines has been looking at getting some small planes \u2026this was raised with me by Prime Minister (Dr Keith) Rowley when we had the symposium on crime as a public health issue (held in Trinidad in April).<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is something we will pursue further discussions about \u2026but from Grenada\u2019s perspective we are keen to do anything we can to try and improve the airlift \u2026certainly at a regional level,\u201d Mitchell added.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
CMC-Grenada has taken a decision to mark the 50th anniversary of the regional integration movement, CARICOM, with a national holiday on July 4, acknowledging the importance of the regional grouping to Caribbean socio-economic development, Prime 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News<\/a> Local News<\/a>","rttpg_excerpt":"CMC-Grenada has taken a decision to mark the 50th anniversary of the regional integration movement, CARICOM, with a national holiday on July 4, acknowledging the importance of the regional grouping to Caribbean socio-economic development, Prime 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