St. Vincent and the Grenadines has been commended for conducting a series of meetings and workshops on various aspects of the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME).{{more}}

Steven McAndrew of the CSME Unit/Caricom Secretariat, addressing the first in the series of workshops to deal ‘contingent rights and accreditation’, highly commended the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

McAndrew said the series of meetings in St.Vincent and the Grenadines is a signal that some seriousness exists here, on a number of critical issues, which have been flagged by the heads of Governments.

“In particular, a need to respond to what we call the built-in agenda of the Revised Treaty,” McAndrew pointed out.

He further stated that when the treaty was being finalized in 2001, the areas of Government procurement and contingent rights were recognized as needing to be further developed.

Furthermore, McAndrew pointed out that “accreditation and equivalency issues have been plaguing the smooth operation of the free movement process from time to time”. As a result of this, he said the series of meetings in St.Vincent and the Grenadines is also important as it covers matters which are supportive to the free movement of persons in the single market.

Meanwhile, Head of the Regional Integration and Diaspora Unit Ambassador, Ellsworth John, said the series of meetings in SVG provides Vincentians with an opportunity to “not only learn about the accreditation and certification process, but to also express their views and to make recommendations, that can inform the continuing process of adjustment that is necessary for the effective implementation of any programme.”

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Andreas Wickham, said the series of Meetings in St. Vincent and the Grenadines is important, noting that although the process of establishing the CSME has been a long one, there is still a lot more work to be done.

And the Chief Education Officer, Lou-Anne Gilchrist, said her Ministry is pleased to be associated with the series of meetings, as it seeks to ensure that all citizens are sufficiently educated and qualified in order to cross borders, and to integrate fully into the professional and social life of any member country.

A meeting of the Free Movement Committee and a consultation for the public sector on government procurement, were held as part of the series of workshops on the Caribbean Single Market and Economy.