Encouraging frank discussion on issue at monthly luncheonBy MINDELL SMALL,Guardian Staff Reporter mindell@nasguard.com
The Bahamas Chamber of Commerce is inviting the public to participate in a frank discussion on the CARICOM Single Market & Economy (CSME) at its next monthly meeting.
The luncheon will take place on March 10 at the British Colonial Hilton.
The featured speaker will be Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell, who had previously indicated that many aspects of the CSME would be in The Bahamas' best interest.
Mr Mitchell will be accompanied by The Bahamas' Ambassador to CARICOM, A. Leonard Archer and will be speaking on the topic "The Bahamas and the CSME: the benefits to membership/ the disadvantages of exclusion!"
While addressing a Rotary Club meeting earlier this month on the CSME question, Mr Mitchell was quoted as saying, "I must say though that I am still surprised that there should be any anxiety about this. Yes, there is no doubt that this is a serious move by The Bahamas, but the gravity of it should not paralyse us. This debate has simply gone on for long enough, and it should be patently clear for all to see that there is nothing at all to fear."
Some of the CARICOM countries that have been heavily promoting the CSME agreement consider The Bahamas to be aloof to the region. Just last November, CARICOM leaders attending the Tenth Special Meeting of CARICOM Heads of Government in Trinidad insisted that The Bahamas "make up its mind" and join. CSME.
They described The Bahamas as a country in limbo on the issue considering that it had ample time to examine the pros and cons of the regional economic treaty.
"Over the last six months or so, more and more of the countries have been asking us: What is the position of The Bahamas, having regard to the fact that we had said that we would look at this and define our position," said Mr Mitchell following the Trinidad meeting.
"Besides, I don't think the actual data is there to support that it's not in our economic interest. In fact, the data shows quite the opposite. The difficulty is that there is a political problem in The Bahamas with some of the provisions which we have been asked to sign on to."
Necessary dialogue
Philip Simon, Executive Director of The Bahamas Chamber of Commerce said the Chamber considers it necessary for the business community to continue to be engaged in the CSME dialogue.
He said at the luncheon, the Chamber would allow for participants to examine the geo-political, economic and social benefits of membership within CSME, as well as the disadvantages of exclusion.
"We have asked the minister to also address the relationship between the various multi-lateral agreements under consideration and the government's approach to each," Mr Simon said in a statement.
The CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) is the region's response to the ever-changing trade environment. Many nations, especially small ones, see enormous value in trading as a regional block rather than individually.
In order to achieve this single economic grouping, several regional governments are amending legislation, though in an incremental manner. One of the treaties causing reservation for The Bahamas is the revised "Treaty of Chaguaramus," which, among other things, calls for the removal of existing restrictions on the right of Caribbean nationals to engage in non-wage earning activities.
However, CSME allows for a participating county to reject parts of the agreement, which might not be in its national interest.
CAPTION
CSME – Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell will be the featured speaker at the CARICOM Single Market & Economy luncheon on March 10 at the British Colonial Hilton.
