Jamaica to Engage in Key Discussions at 48th Caricom Heads Meeting in Barbados

Jamaica will engage in discussions on critical regional issues, including trade, security and cooperation, at the 48th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM, now under way in Bridgetown, Barbados.

The meeting is being hosted and chaired by the Prime Minister of Barbados, Hon. Mia Mottley.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith, who departed the island on February 18, chaired the 22nd Special Meeting of the Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR) on February 19.

COFCOR is the CARICOM organ responsible for coordinating regional foreign policy and fostering cooperation with the Community’s extraregional partners.

The Minister is also slated to participate in of the 55th Meeting of the Community Council of Ministers, the second-highest decision-making body within CARICOM, with responsibility for the Community’s strategic planning and coordination as it relates to economic integration and functional cooperation.

Minister Johnson Smith’s participation in the meetings of CARICOM’s COFCOR and Community Council will help to finalise Jamaica’s preparation ahead of the arrival of Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, who will lead Jamaica’s delegation for the Heads of Government meetings.

In a pre-departure interview, Minister Johnson Smith gave some insight into the engagements and discussions that are anticipated at the Summit.

“I’m so glad that I will be there in time to welcome Prime Minister Holness who will be leading Jamaica’s delegation for the Heads’ meetings. He will engage in intensive discussions on regional security and on trade. Those matters will be looming large on the agenda,” she said.

Minister Johnson Smith also shared that one of the major discussions will see Jamaica continue to advance its strong position on the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME).

“Jamaica has always held the position that movement of people is one of the ways in which our citizens across the region will experience the benefits of CARICOM. So, we continue to support the work in this regard,” she said.

The CSME, is an economic integration arrangement between several CARICOM countries, where members aim to create a single market and economy across the region, featuring the movement of goods, movement of services, movement of community nationals, movement of capital, as well as the ability to establish businesses in other CSME jurisdictions.