Review Commission to Strengthen Jamaica’s Position in CARICOM – PM

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, says the work to be undertaken by the newly established Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Review Commission is aimed at strengthening Jamaica’s position within the regional integration process.

This, Mr. Holness says, is “absolutely important” in ensuring increased economic growth and development for Jamaica over the next 50 years.

He was speaking at the Commission’s launch at the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) on Tuesday, June 28.

Mr. Holness, who announced the Commission’s formation in April, indicated then that the time had come for Jamaica to fully assess the benefits, opportunities and challenges of CARICOM.

While acknowledging CARICOM’s successes, notably in the establishment of the University of the West Indies (UWI) and regional security cooperation, Mr. Holness highlighted “significant concerns” for Jamaica in the area of trade.

He said the Commission will provide a forum for these and other issues to be addressed, with inputs from persons “who can give context, direction, interpretation, and analysis.”

“This is the approach I intend to take…to have that conversation that will guide our path for the next 50 years,” the Prime Minister added.

Mr. Holness thanked former Prime Minister, Bruce Golding, for accepting the invitation to chair the Commission, describing him as an “excellent choice” for the position.

He said the other members of the Commission will be announced shortly.

“We have carefully selected (the members) to ensure broad representation,”  he said, pointing out that persons are drawn from the private sector, academia, trade unions and the political arena.

For his part, Mr. Golding said the CARICOM review was “timely” coming after 43 years of Jamaica joining the membership of the regional bloc. He  noted that “the global environment today is vastly different from what it was in 1973 when the original treaty of Chaguaramas was negotiated.”

Mr. Golding said the Commission’s members comprise a “formidable team” who bring an “enormous amount of expertise and experience in a variety of fields.”

“I have every confidence that they will bring diligence and intellectual rigour to the deliberations that we will have and to the report that we will eventually present to you,” Mr Golding added.

The Commission will hold its first meeting at the offices of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade in New Kingston, where the Secretariat will be based, on Tuesday, July 5.

Portfolio Minister, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith, has assured that her office’s provision of the requisite technical and coordinating support to ensure the project’s successful implementation.