Caribbean News
The Bahamas remains out of the CARICOM Single Market & Economy, PM Confirms
MontegoBay, July 9, 2018 – Jamaica – The Bahamas is celebrating 45 years as an Independent nation and The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) is also 45-years-old as a regional body.
The subjects of independence and integration were discussed at The Thirty-Ninth Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) July 4-6, 2018 in Montego Bay, Jamaica. There were several matters of significant importance for The Bahamas, according to Prime Minister, Dr. the Hon. Hubert Minnis, which he addressed on the final day of the Meeting.
“There several matters that I think were of great importance and significance to The Bahamas which have to be resolved, discussed, and The Bahamas’ position be placed firmly within the Caribbean Community,” the Prime Minister said.
He pointed out that one of the items discussed in particular is the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) and the free movement of people between all 15 CARICOM Member-States.
“The Bahamas, and I repeated it to my prime minister colleagues at CARICOM — The Bahamas cannot support the free movement of people throughout its boundaries.
“As you know we are a population of about 400,000 and there are countries within the Caribbean Community which have as many as 11 million, and the entire Caribbean Community is about 21 million. We are plagued with migration from Haiti, for example; and the free movement of people can pose great threats not only to our security, but employment of the Bahamian populace.” the Prime Minister said.
He said he also told his CARICOM colleagues that The Bahamas is probably the most integrated CARICOM nation in terms the number of Caribbean nationals who are a part of its society.
“We have a great number of Jamaicans who are contributing to the growth and development of our country. We have a great number Barbadians who would have started our police force, [and are] involved in teaching and medicine, and St. Lucians who helped with land surveying and are still contributing to that; we also have a great number of Trinidadians. So CARICOM nations have always been a part, and still are a part. So when you 
look at integration, they are there.”
At the conclusion of the Meeting, Heads of Government reviewed the operation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) and reiterated the need to accelerate its implementation.
In that regard, Heads adopted the Protocol on Contingent Rights which will cover the rights of persons moving to another country under the free movement of skills regime, as well as the spouses and dependents of those who move to another country. Heads of Government regarded this as a major historic step that would encourage greater use of the free movement of skills, as it ensures levels of comfort for families.
However, The Bahamas remains a non-participant in the CARICOM SME.
By: Lindsay Thompson (BIS)
KINGSTON, April 29 (JIS):
Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Senator the Hon. Matthew Samuda, says the outcome of discussions arising from the Jamaica National Stakeholder Consultation on Climate Services and the 1st National Climate Forum (NCF-1) will assist in guiding the Government’s planning for climate change.
This, he points out, is important for climate mitigation as well as building Jamaica’s resilience.
“We look forward to the discussions that will, no doubt, take place. We look forward to the basis of planning for the Government to streamline its investments to ensure you have the tools that you need to better advise us, that the WRA (Water Resources Authority) has the tools to digitise its monitoring network, and that all of the agencies that touch our planning mechanisms have the tools. But we need to know what we are facing, and we’re guided by your expertise,” Minister Samuda said.
He was addressing the opening ceremony for the Jamaica National Stakeholder Consultation on Climate Services and the 1st National Climate Forum (NCF-1) at the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel in New Kingston on Monday (April 29).
Senator Samuda said given the fact that the climate has changed and continues to do so, investments in and collaborations on building Jamaica’s predictive and scientific capacity must be prioritised.
“Ultimately, we need to be able to assess our current climatic realities if we are to better plan, if we’re to insist and ensure that our infrastructure meets the needs that we need it to. I’m very happy that this event is happening… because this is a critical issue.
“Jamaica, last year, faced its worst and most severe drought… and this year, we’re already seeing the impacts of not quite as severe a drought but, certainly, a drought with severe impacts, especially in the western part of the country,” he said.
Principal Director, Meteorological Service of Jamaica, Evan Thompson, explained that the forum aims to, among other things, establish a collaboration platform for climate services providers and users to understand risks and opportunities of past, present and future climate developments, as well as improve inter-agency coordination of policies, plans and programmes.
Among the other presenters were Ambassador, European Union to Jamaica, Her Excellency Marianne Van Steen; Chief Scientist/Climatologist, Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology, Adrian Trotman; and Head, Regional Climate Prediction Services, World Meteorological Organization, Wilfran Moufouma-Okia.
The Meteorological Service of Jamaica hosted the Jamaica National Stakeholder Consultation on Climate Services and the 1st National Climate Forum (NCF-1) in partnership with the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology and the World Meteorological Organization.
The National Stakeholder Consultation is a governance mechanism that guides how different sectors or actors work together to create products that contribute to adaptation and resilience-building. It seeks to create a road map for the development and implementation of climate services to inform decision-making.
NCF-1 aims to bridge the gap between climate providers and users. It increases the use of science-based information in decision-making and operations with the aim of generating and delivering co-produced and co-designed products and services.
CONTACT: CHRIS PATTERSON
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