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Caribbean Community



 
 
The Caribbean Community (CARICOM), is an organization of 15 Caribbean nations and dependencies. CARICOM's main purposes are to promote economic integration and cooperation among its members, to ensure that the benefits of integration are equitably shared, and to coordinate foreign policy. Its major activities involve coordinating economic policies and development planning; devising and instituting special projects for the less-developed countries within its jurisdiction; operating as a regional single market for many of its members (Caricom Single Market); and handling regional trade disputes.






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The Caribbean Community (CARICOM), is an organization of 15 Caribbean nations and dependencies. CARICOM's main purposes are to promote economic integration and cooperation among its members, to ensure that the benefits of integration are equitably shared, and to coordinate foreign policy. Its major activities involve coordinating economic policies and development planning; devising and instituting special projects for the less-developed countries within its jurisdiction; operating as a regional single market for many of its members (Caricom Single Market); and handling regional trade disputes. The Secretariat headquarters is based-in Georgetown, Guyana
Georgetown, Guyana

Georgetown, estimated population 230,000 , is the Capital and largest city of Guyana, located in the Demerara-Mahaica region. It is situated on the Atlantic Ocean coast at the mouth of the Demerara River and it was nicknamed 'Garden City of the Caribbean.' Georgetown is located at ....


Overview

Since the establishment of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) by the mainly English speaking parts of the Caribbean region CARICOM has become unofficially multilingual in practice with the addition of Dutch
Dutch language

Dutch is a West Germanic languages spoken by over 22 million people as a first language, and about 5 million people as a second language."1% of the EU population claims to speak Dutch well enough in order to have a conversation." Outside the European Union the number of second language speakers of Dutch is very small. Most native...
-speaking Suriname
Suriname

Suriname , officially the Republic of Suriname is a country in northern South America. Originally, the country was spelled Surinam by English settlers who founded the first colony at Marshall's Creek, along the Suriname River, and was Geographical renaming Nederlands Guyana, Netherlands Guiana or Dutch Guiana....
 on 4 July 1995 and Haiti
Haiti

Haiti , officially the Republic of Haiti , is a Haitian Creole language- and French language-speaking Caribbean country. Along with the Dominican Republic, it occupies the island of Hispaniola, in the Greater Antilles archipelago....
, where French
French language

French is a Romance language spoken around the world by around 80 million people as first language, by 190 million as second language, and by about another 200 million people as an acquired tongue, with significant speakers in 54 countries....
 and Haitian Creole are spoken, on 2 July 2002.

In 2001, the heads of government signed a Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas thus clearing the way for the transformation of the idea for a Common Market aspect of CARICOM into instead a Caribbean (CARICOM) Single Market and Economy
CARICOM Single Market and Economy

The CARICOM Single Market and Economy also known as the Caribbean Single Market and Economy or CSME is an integrated development strategy envisioned at the 10th Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community which took place in July 1989 in Grand Anse, Grenada....
. Part of the revised treaty among member states includes the establishment and implementation of the Caribbean Court of Justice
Caribbean Court of Justice

The Caribbean Court of Justice is an institution of the Caribbean Community based in in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.In the aftermath of the collapse of the Federation of the West Indies, which had lasted a mere four years, from 1958 to 1962, the Caribbean formed CARIFTA , with a view to maintaining an economic link among the variou...
.

History

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM), originally the Caribbean Community and Common Market, was established by the Treaty of Chaguaramas
Treaty of Chaguaramas

The Treaty of Chaguaramas established the Caribbean Community and Common Market, later known as CARICOM. It was signed on July 4, 1973 in Chaguaramas, Trinidad and Tobago....
 which came into effect on 1 August 1973. The first four signatories were Barbados
Barbados

Barbados , situated just east of the Caribbean Sea, is an independent Continental Island-island nation in the western Atlantic Ocean. Located at roughly 13? North of the equator and 59? West of the prime meridian, it is considered a part of the Lesser Antilles....
, Jamaica
Jamaica

Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length and as much as in width situated in the Caribbean Sea. It is about south of Cuba, and west of the island of Hispaniola, on which Haiti and the Dominican Republic are situated....
, Guyana
Guyana

Guyana , officially the Co-operative Republic of Guyana and previously known as British Guiana, is the only state of the Commonwealth of Nations on mainland South America....
 and Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago

The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is an island country in the southern Caribbean, lying northeast of the South American country of Venezuela and south of Grenada in the Lesser Antilles....
.

CARICOM superseded the 1965–1972 Caribbean Free Trade Association
Caribbean Free Trade Association

The Caribbean Free Trade Association had been organised to provide a continued economic linkage between the English-speaking countries of the Caribbean following the dissolution of the West Indies Federation which lasted from January 3, 1958 to May 31, 1962....
 (CARIFTA), which had been organised to provide a continued economic linkage between the English-speaking countries of the Caribbean
Caribbean

The Caribbean is a region consisting of the Caribbean Sea, its islands , and the surrounding coasts. The region is located southeast of the Gulf of Mexico and Northern America, east of Central America, and to the north of South America....
 following the dissolution of the West Indies Federation
West Indies Federation

The West Indies Federation, also known as the Federation of the West Indies, was a short-lived Caribbean federation that existed from January 3, 1958 to May 31, 1962....
 which lasted from 3 January 1958 to 31 May 1962.

A Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas establishing the Caribbean Community including the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) was signed by the CARICOM Heads of Government
CARICOM Heads of Government

The CARICOM heads of government serve as the most important body leading key policy direction for the Caribbean Community organisation and for the implementation of the Caribbean Single Market and Economy....
 of the Caribbean Community on 5 July 2001 at their Twenty-Second Meeting of the Conference in Nassau, The Bahamas.

Membership

Currently CARICOM has 15 full members:
  • (4 July 1974)
  • (4 July 1983) (not part of customs union)
  • (1 August 1973)
  • (1 May 1974)
  • (1 May 1974)
  • (1 May 1974)
  • (1 August 1973)
  • (provisional membership on 4 July 1998, full membership on 2 July 2002)
  • (1 August 1973)
  • (a territory of the United Kingdom
    United Kingdom

    The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom , the UK or Britain,is a sovereign state located off the northwestern coast of continental Europe....
    ) (1 May 1974)
  • (26 July 1974 as Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla
    Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla

    St. Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla was historically an overseas territory of the United Kingdom located in the Caribbean Sea. This entity later became a province to the short lived West Indies Federation in 1958....
    )
  • (1 May 1974)
  • (1 May 1974)
  • (4 July 1995)
  • (1 August 1973)


Associates

There are five associate members (all British overseas territories
British overseas territories

The British Overseas Territories are fourteen territories that are under the sovereignty of the United Kingdom, but which do not form part of the United Kingdom itself....
):
  • (July 1999)
  • (2 July 2003)
  • (July 1991)
  • (16 May 2002)
  • (July 1991)


Observers

There are seven observers:


It is currently not established what the role of the associate members will be. The observer members are states which engage in at least one of CARICOM's many technical committees.

CARICOM Relations


Haiti invasion

In March 2004, tensions became strained between member-state Haiti and the rest of the Caribbean Community bloc. Democratically elected President Jean-Bertrand Aristide
Jean-Bertrand Aristide

Jean-Bertrand Aristide is a former Roman Catholicism priest who was List of Presidents of Haiti in 1991, again from 1994 to 1996, and then from 2001 to 2004....
 phoned some of the other 14 CARICOM heads of government and stated that that he had been kidnapped by France
France

France , officially the French Republic , is a country whose Metropolitan France is located in Western Europe and that also comprises various Overseas departments and territories of France....
 and the United States
United States

The United States of America is a Federal government constitutional republic comprising U.S. state and a federal district. The country is situated mostly in central North America, where its Contiguous United States and Washington, D.C., the Capital districts and territories, lie between the Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Oceans, Borders of the U...
 and taken out of the country. CARICOM announced that no democratically elected government in CARICOM should have its leader deposed. The 14 other heads of government sought to have Aristide visit Jamaica and share his account of events with them. This move to have Jean-Bertrand Aristide flown from the center of Africa to Jamaica infuriated the interim Prime Minister, Gérard Latortue
Gérard Latortue

G?rard Latortue was the Prime Minister of Ha?ti from March 12 2004 to June 9 2006. He was an official in the United Nations for many years, and briefly served as foreign minister of Ha?ti during the short-lived 1988 administration of Leslie Manigat....
 who then announced he would be taking steps to remove Haiti from CARICOM. The CARICOM heads then announced they would be holding a vote on whether to suspend the recognition of Haiti's non-democratically elected interim Prime Minister, Gérard Latortue
Gérard Latortue

G?rard Latortue was the Prime Minister of Ha?ti from March 12 2004 to June 9 2006. He was an official in the United Nations for many years, and briefly served as foreign minister of Ha?ti during the short-lived 1988 administration of Leslie Manigat....
 before he could vote on Haiti leaving CARICOM. This occurred and Haitian officials became suspended partaking in the councils of CARICOM. This did not stop Gérard Latortue, he announced that he would continue a part of his plan to suspend Haiti from CARICOM. Haiti's membership had been effectively suspended from 29 February 2004 through early June 2006. Following the democratic election of Haitian President René Préval
René Préval

Ren? Garcia Pr?val is a Haitian Politics of Haiti and agronomist who has been the President of Haiti of the Haiti since May 2006. He previously served as President from February 7, 1996 to February 7, 2001 and as List of Prime Ministers of Haiti from February 1991 to October 11, 1991....
, he gave the opening address at the organisation's Council of Ministers meeting in July.

Anguilla

In July 1999, Anguilla once again became involved with CARICOM when it gained associate membership. Prior to this, Anguilla had briefly been a part of CARICOM (1974-1980) as a constituent of the full member state of Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla
Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla

St. Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla was historically an overseas territory of the United Kingdom located in the Caribbean Sea. This entity later became a province to the short lived West Indies Federation in 1958....
.

Dominican Republic

In 2005 the Foreign Minister of the Dominican Republic proposed for the second time that the government of the Dominican Republic wished to obtain full membership status in CARICOM. However, due to the sheer size of the Dominican Republic's economy and population size in comparison with the current CARICOM states and coupled with the Dominican Republic's checkered history of foreign policy solidarity with the CARICOM states it is unclear whether the CARICOM states will unanimously vote to admit the Dominican Republic as a full member into the organisation. CARICOM has been working at great pains in trying to integrate with Haiti. It has been proposed that CARICOM may deepen ties with the Dominican Republic through the auspice of the Association of Caribbean States
Association of Caribbean States

The Association of Caribbean States was formed with the aim of promoting consultation, cooperation, and concerted action among all the countries of the Caribbean....
 (ACS) instead, which is an organisation that stops just short of the Single market and economy which underpins CARICOM. Currently, the Dominican Republic has an unratified free trade agreement (from 2001) with CARICOM. It cooperates with CARICOM (since 1992) under an umbrella organisation, CARIFORUM, an economic pact between CARICOM and the Dominican with the EU
European Union

The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 European Union member state, located primarily in Europe. It was established by the Treaty of Maastricht on 1 November 1993 upon the foundations of the pre-existing European Economic Community....
. The Dominican Republic originally became an Observer of CARICOM in 1982 and in 1991 it had presented CARICOM with a request for full membership.

Netherlands Antilles

In 2005, the Netherlands Antilles made an official request for the status of associate membership. It is not certain how the future dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles will affect the current observer status or the requested associate membership status for the island of Sint Maarten
Sint Maarten

The island area of Sint Maarten is one of five islands of the Netherlands Antilles of the Netherlands Antilles, encompassing the southern half of the Saint Martin....
, in the future . Curaçao
Curaçao

Cura?ao is an island in the southern Caribbean Sea, off the Venezuelan coast. The island area of Cura?ao , which includes the main island plus the small, uninhabited island of Klein Cura?ao , is one of five islands of the Netherlands Antilles of the Netherlands Antilles, and as such, is a part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands....
 had announced , that it wants to continue deepening ties with the CARICOM bloc.

United States Virgin Islands

In 2007, the U.S. Virgin Islands government announced it would begin seeking ties with CARICOM. It is not clear what membership status the USVI would obtain should they join CARICOM. It is possible the USVI would obtain observer status, considering fellow U.S. Caribbean territory Puerto Rico's current observer status.

Statistics

Population and Economic Statistics of Full Members
Member Population GDP (PPP
Purchasing power parity

The purchasing power parity theory uses the long-term equilibrium exchange rate of two currencies to equalize their purchasing power. Developed by Gustav Cassel in 1920, it is based on the law of one price: the theory states that, in ideally efficient markets, identical goods should have only one price....
) Millions USD
GDP Per Capita USD
Haiti 8,706,497 14,560 1,800
Jamaica 2,780,132 12,710 7,400
Trinidad and Tobago 1,056,608 20,990 19,700
Guyana 769,095 3,620 4,700
Suriname 470,784 3,098 7,100
Bahamas 325,655 6,476 21,300
Belize 311,500 2,307 8,400
Barbados 280,946 5,108 18,200
Saint Lucia 170,649 886 4,800
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 118,149 342 3,600
Grenada 89,971 440 3,900
Dominica 72,386 384 3,800
Antigua and Barbuda 69,481 750 10,900
Saint Kitts and Nevis 39,349 339 8,200
Montserrat 9,538 29 3,400


Population and Economic Statistics of Associate Members
Member Population GDP (PPP
Purchasing power parity

The purchasing power parity theory uses the long-term equilibrium exchange rate of two currencies to equalize their purchasing power. Developed by Gustav Cassel in 1920, it is based on the law of one price: the theory states that, in ideally efficient markets, identical goods should have only one price....
) Millions USD
GDP Per Capita USD
Anguilla 13,677 109 8,800
Bermuda 66,163 4,857 76,403
British Virgin Islands 23,552 853 38,500
Cayman Islands 72,000 1,939 43,800
Turks and Caicos Islands 32,000 400 12,500


Population and Economic Statistics of Observers
Member Population GDP (PPP
Purchasing power parity

The purchasing power parity theory uses the long-term equilibrium exchange rate of two currencies to equalize their purchasing power. Developed by Gustav Cassel in 1920, it is based on the law of one price: the theory states that, in ideally efficient markets, identical goods should have only one price....
) Millions USD
GDP Per Capita USD
Aruba 100,018 2,258 21,800
Colombia 44,379,598 366,700 8,400
Dominican Republic 9,365,818 73,740 8,000
Mexico 108,700,891 1,134,000 10,600
Netherlands Antilles 223,652 2,800 16,000
Puerto Rico 3,944,259 74,890 19,100
Venezuela 26,023,528 176,400 6,900


See also: Trade bloc
Trade bloc

A trade bloc is a type of intergovernmental agreement, often part of a regional intergovernmental organization, where regional barriers to trade are reduced or eliminated among the participating states....


Under Article 4 the CARICOM organisation breaks its 15 member states into two groups: Less Developed Countries (LDCs) and More Developed Countries (MDCs).

- The countries of CARICOM which are designated as Less Developed Countries (LDCs) are: Antigua & Barbuda, Belize, the Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, the Republic of Haiti, Montserrat, the Federation of St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent & the Grenadines

- The countries of CARICOM which are designated as More Developed Countries (MDCs) are: the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, Barbados, the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, Jamaica, the Republic of Suriname, and the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago

Organisational structure

Structures that comprise the overall Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

Secretariat

  • Secretariat of the Caribbean Community
    Secretariat of the Caribbean Community

    The Secretariat of the Caribbean Community is the principal administrative organ for the Caribbean Community and is headed by the Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community who is the Chief Executive Officer of CARICOM of the Community....
    , The term of office of the Secretary-General is 5 years, which may be renewed. (Chief Administrative Organ)
  • Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community
    Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community

    The Secretary General of the Caribbean Community is the Chief Executive Officer of the CARICOM and the head of its principal administrative organ, the Secretariat of the Caribbean Community....
    , the CARICOM Secretary General (Chief Executive) handles Foreign and Community Relations.
  • Deputy Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community, handles Human and Social Development.
  • General Counsel of the Caribbean Community, handles Trade and Economic Integration.The goal statement of the CARICOM Secretariat is:"To provide dynamic leadership and service, in partnership with Community institutions and Groups, toward the attainment of a viable, internationally competitive and sustainable Community, with improved quality of life for all.">

    Chairmanship

    The post of Chairman (Head of CARICOM) is held in rotation by the regional Heads of State (for the republics) and Heads of Government (for the realms) of CARICOM's 15 member states.

    CARICOM Heads of Government
    CARICOM Heads of Government

    The CARICOM heads of government serve as the most important body leading key policy direction for the Caribbean Community organisation and for the implementation of the Caribbean Single Market and Economy....

    CARICOM contains a quasi-Cabinet of the individual Heads of Government. These heads are given specific specialised portfolios of responsibility for overall regional development and integration.

    Caribbean Community organs and bodies


    Principal Organs

    • CARICOM Heads of Government
      CARICOM Heads of Government

      The CARICOM heads of government serve as the most important body leading key policy direction for the Caribbean Community organisation and for the implementation of the Caribbean Single Market and Economy....
      , Consisting of the various heads of Government from each member state
    • Standing Committee of Ministers, Ministerial responsibilities for specific areas, for example the Standing Committee of Ministers responsible for Health will consist of Ministers of Health from each member state


    The Community Council: The Council consists of Ministers responsible for Community Affairs and any other Minister designated by the Member States in their absolute discretion. It is one of the principal organs (the other being the Conference of the Heads of Government) and is supported by four other organs and three bodies.

    Secondary Organs

    • Council for Finance and Planning (COFAP)
    • Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR)
    • Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD)
    • Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED)


    Other bodies

    • Legal Affairs Committee (related: ), The Legal Affairs Committee: provides legal advice to the organs and bodies of the Community
    • Budget Committee, examines the draft budget and work programme of the Secretariat and submits recommendations to the Community Council.
    • Committee of the Central Bank Governors, The Committee of Central Bank Governors: provides recommendations to the COFAP on monetary and financial matters.


    Caribbean Community Institutions

    The twenty designated institutions of CARICOM are as follows:
    • Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency (CDERA)
    • Caribbean Meteorological Institute
      Caribbean Meteorological Institute

      The Caribbean Meteorological Institute was established in 1967 by the member states of the Caribbean Meteorological Organisation . It was amalgamated with the Caribbean Operational Hydrological Institute in the mid-1980s to form the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology , but the name was only officially changed in September 1999...
       (CMI)
    • Caribbean Meteorological Organisation
      Caribbean Meteorological Organisation

      In 1951 the British Caribbean Meteorological Service was established to promote and co-ordinate regional activities in the fields of meteorology and allied sciences; provide support and advice to governments in dealing with issues of an international nature affecting weather and climate and to represent the regional meteorological community?s...
       (CMO)
    • Caribbean Food Corporation (CFC)
    • Caribbean Environment Health Institute (CEHI)
    • Caribbean Agriculture Research and Development Institute (CARDI)
    • Caribbean Regional Centre for the Education and training of Animal Health and Veterinary Public Health Assistants (REPAHA)
    • Assembly of Caribbean Community Parliamentarians (ACCP)
    • Caribbean Centre for Development Administration (CARICAD)
    • Caribbean Food and Nutrition Institute (CFNI)
    • Caribbean Examinations Council
      Caribbean Examinations Council

      The Caribbean Examinations Council or CXC was established in 1972 under Agreement by the Participating Governments in the Area to conduct such examinations as it may think appropriate and award certificates and diplomas on the results of any such examinations so conducted....
       (CXC)
    • CARICOM Single Market and Economy
      CARICOM Single Market and Economy

      The CARICOM Single Market and Economy also known as the Caribbean Single Market and Economy or CSME is an integrated development strategy envisioned at the 10th Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community which took place in July 1989 in Grand Anse, Grenada....
       (CSME)
    • Caribbean Court of Justice
      Caribbean Court of Justice

      The Caribbean Court of Justice is an institution of the Caribbean Community based in in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.In the aftermath of the collapse of the Federation of the West Indies, which had lasted a mere four years, from 1958 to 1962, the Caribbean formed CARIFTA , with a view to maintaining an economic link among the variou...
       (CCJ)
    • CARICOM Competition Commission (CCC)
    • Caribbean Regional Information and Translation Institute (CRITI)


    The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) will act in its "original jurisdiction", as settlement unit for disputes on the functioning of the Caribbean (CARICOM) Single Market and Economy (CSME). Additionally the states of CARICOM voted to supplement original jurisdiction with "appellate jurisdiction" under this the former colonies of the United Kingdom will have effectively replaced the Privy Council
    Judicial Committee of the Privy Council

    The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council is one of the highest courts in the United Kingdom, established by the Judicial Committee Act 1833....
     in London
    London

    London is the capital of both England and the United Kingdom, and the most populous municipality in the European Union. An important settlement for two millennia, History of London goes back to its founding by the Roman Empire....
    , United Kingdom
    United Kingdom

    The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom , the UK or Britain,is a sovereign state located off the northwestern coast of continental Europe....
     with the CCJ. The CCJ is based in Port of Spain
    Port of Spain

    Port of Spain is the Capital of Trinidad and Tobago and the country's third largest municipality, after San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago and Chaguanas....
    , Trinidad and Tobago
    Trinidad and Tobago

    The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is an island country in the southern Caribbean, lying northeast of the South American country of Venezuela and south of Grenada in the Lesser Antilles....
    . The majority of member states however, continue to utilize the Privy Council as their final appellate court and three member states do not use the CCJ for either its original jurisdiction or its appellate jurisdiction because they have either not signed the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas (the Bahamas and Haiti) or are a current British colony (Montserrat).

    Associate Institutions

    The five designated associate institutions of CARICOM are as follows:
    • Caribbean Development Bank
      Caribbean Development Bank

      The Caribbean Development Bank is a financial institution which assists Caribbean nations in financing social and economic programs in its member countries....
       (CDB)
    • University of Guyana
      University of Guyana

      The University of Guyana, in Georgetown, Guyana, was established in 1963 by the Guyanese government. Its first chancellor was Edgar Mortimer Duke and its first Principal and Vice-Chancellor was a British mathematician, Lancelot Hogben....
       (UG)
    • University of the West Indies
      University of the West Indies

      The University of the West Indies, also known as UWI, is an autonomous regional institution supported by and serving 16 English-speaking countries and Territory in the Caribbean: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, Montserrat, St....
       (UWI)
    • Caribbean Law Institute / Caribbean Law Institute Centre (CLI / CLIC)
    • Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States
      Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States

      The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States , created in 1981, is an inter-governmental organisation dedicated to economic harmonisation and integration, protection of human and legal rights, and the encouragement of good governance between countries and dependencies in the Eastern Caribbean....
       (OECS)


    CARICOM projects


    CARICOM Single Market and Economy

    Three countries—Barbados, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago—had originally set 5 January 2005 as the date of signing the agreement relating to the (CSME). The ceremony had then been rescheduled to coincide with the 19 February 2005 inauguration of the new CARICOM-headquarters building in Georgetown
    Georgetown, Guyana

    Georgetown, estimated population 230,000 , is the Capital and largest city of Guyana, located in the Demerara-Mahaica region. It is situated on the Atlantic Ocean coast at the mouth of the Demerara River and it was nicknamed 'Garden City of the Caribbean.' Georgetown is located at ....
    , Guyana
    Guyana

    Guyana , officially the Co-operative Republic of Guyana and previously known as British Guiana, is the only state of the Commonwealth of Nations on mainland South America....
    , but this was later postponed after a ruling by the London Privy council caused alarm to several Caribbean countries.

    The prospect was that ten of the remaining twelve CARICOM countries would join the CSME by the end of 2005. The Bahamas and Haiti
    Haiti

    Haiti , officially the Republic of Haiti , is a Haitian Creole language- and French language-speaking Caribbean country. Along with the Dominican Republic, it occupies the island of Hispaniola, in the Greater Antilles archipelago....
     were not expected to be a part of the new economic arrangement at that time. The CARICOM Secretariat maintains frequent contact with another organisation named the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), which represents seven Full members and two Associate members of CARICOM in the Eastern Caribbean. Many of the OECS countries are seeking to maintain themselves as a micro-economic grouping within CARICOM.

    The CARICOM Single Market and Economy
    CARICOM Single Market and Economy

    The CARICOM Single Market and Economy also known as the Caribbean Single Market and Economy or CSME is an integrated development strategy envisioned at the 10th Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community which took place in July 1989 in Grand Anse, Grenada....
     treaty finally went into effect on 1 January 2006, with Barbados
    Barbados

    Barbados , situated just east of the Caribbean Sea, is an independent Continental Island-island nation in the western Atlantic Ocean. Located at roughly 13? North of the equator and 59? West of the prime meridian, it is considered a part of the Lesser Antilles....
    , Belize
    Belize

    Belize , formerly British Honduras, is a country in Central America. Once part of the Maya civilization, and very briefly the Spanish Empire, it was most recently affiliated with the British Empire, prior to gaining its independence in 1981....
    , Jamaica
    Jamaica

    Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length and as much as in width situated in the Caribbean Sea. It is about south of Cuba, and west of the island of Hispaniola, on which Haiti and the Dominican Republic are situated....
    , Guyana
    Guyana

    Guyana , officially the Co-operative Republic of Guyana and previously known as British Guiana, is the only state of the Commonwealth of Nations on mainland South America....
    , Suriname
    Suriname

    Suriname , officially the Republic of Suriname is a country in northern South America. Originally, the country was spelled Surinam by English settlers who founded the first colony at Marshall's Creek, along the Suriname River, and was Geographical renaming Nederlands Guyana, Netherlands Guiana or Dutch Guiana....
     and Trinidad and Tobago
    Trinidad and Tobago

    The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is an island country in the southern Caribbean, lying northeast of the South American country of Venezuela and south of Grenada in the Lesser Antilles....
     as the first full members. On 3 July 2006, the total membership was brought up to twelve when Antigua and Barbuda
    Antigua and Barbuda

    Antigua and Barbuda is an island nation located on the eastern boundary of the Caribbean Sea with the Atlantic Ocean. As its name suggests, it consists of two major islands Antigua and Barbuda as well as a number of smaller islets....
    , Dominica
    Dominica

    The Commonwealth of Dominica, commonly known as Dominica, is an island nation in the Caribbean Sea. To the north/northwest lies Guadeloupe, to the southeast Martinique....
    , Grenada
    Grenada

    Grenada is an island nation that includes the southern Grenadines in the southeastern Caribbean Sea. Grenada is located northwest of Trinidad and Tobago, northeast of Venezuela, and southwest of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines....
    , St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines became full members. The British overseas territory of Montserrat
    Montserrat

    Montserrat is British overseas territory located in the Leeward Islands, part of the chain of islands called the Lesser Antilles in the Caribbean Sea....
     is seeking permission from the United Kingdom
    United Kingdom

    The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom , the UK or Britain,is a sovereign state located off the northwestern coast of continental Europe....
     to become a part of the single market
    Single market

    A common market is a customs union with common policies on product regulation, and freedom of movement of the factors of production and of capitalism....
    ; Haiti
    Haiti

    Haiti , officially the Republic of Haiti , is a Haitian Creole language- and French language-speaking Caribbean country. Along with the Dominican Republic, it occupies the island of Hispaniola, in the Greater Antilles archipelago....
     will not join the market initially because of its difficult internal political situation; and the Bahamas will not join because of local opposition to a provision that allows skilled workers to move more easily among nations.

    The CARICOM Common Passport

    On Friday, 7 January 2005, the Republic of Suriname
    Suriname

    Suriname , officially the Republic of Suriname is a country in northern South America. Originally, the country was spelled Surinam by English settlers who founded the first colony at Marshall's Creek, along the Suriname River, and was Geographical renaming Nederlands Guyana, Netherlands Guiana or Dutch Guiana....
     became the first full member state to officially launch the new bloc "CARICOM Passport". The new passports boast having better security and are also machine-readable. The full member states of the Caribbean Community had agreed to establish a common passport in order to make intra-regional and international travel easier for their citizens. The passports are also thought to save additional costs for member states by using a similar cover design, the designs will also follow newly updated international standards on Passport design.

    The second state that released the national CARICOM passport was Saint Vincent and the Grenadines: SVG began issuing the new CARICOM passports around April 2005. On 25 October 2005, St. Kitts and Nevis became the third CARICOM member state to bring the CARICOM passport into operation, making good on its promise to launch it before the end of the year and began Issuance of the document to its citizens on 14 November 2005.

    Antigua and Barbuda had announced that it would begin using the new CARICOM passport format by the middle of 2005.

    St. Lucia has also proposed introducing the common passport in early 2007 and actually introduced it on 16 January 2007.

    Trinidad and Tobago had announced that it would begin to issue the new CARICOM passport in June 2006, and then indicated that it would introduce the passport in July 2006 along with Guyana, but only finally introduced the passport on 24 January 2007.

    Grenada planned to begin issuing the common passport in mid-2006, but started issuing them on 29 January 2007.

    Barbados had planned to switch to the common format by late 2006, but then proposed to introduce it by 31 December 2007. Barbados launched the new common-format passport on 1 October 2007.

    The Co-operative Republic of Guyana had also announced that it would begin to use the new CARICOM passport format by the middle of 2005, but the introduction was delayed and the new target date was set to July 2006. However, Guyana eventually officially launched the passport on 13 July 2007.

    Jamaica was expected to institute the passport by the end of 2007; However, this deadline lapsed, and Jamaica later introduced the passport on 10 January 2009,

    Currently (as of early 2009) eleven Member States have introduced CARICOM passports. These states are Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago.

    The CARICOM passport creates awareness that CARICOM nationals are nationals of the Community, as well as a specific country.

    Future introduction

    The expectation is that all the member states will have introduced the CARICOM passport by 2008 when the stock of their old passports is depleted.

    Belize is to introduce the passport after its current stock is depleted, but ultimately by 31 December 2007.

    The Bahamas has not launched the machine-readable passport, and intends to launch the e-passport on 5 December 2007.

    Passport designs
    The three colours of the new passports are:
    • Dark Blue for civilians;
    • Green
      Green

      Green is a color, the perception of which is evoked by light having a spectrum dominated by energy with a wavelength of roughly 520?570-Nanometre....
       for government
      Government

      Government is the body within any organization that has the authority to make and the power to enforce laws, regulations, or rules. Typically, the government refers to a civil government -- local, provincial, or national -- but commercial, academic, religious, or other formal organizations are also administered by governing bodies....
       officials and
    • Red
      Red

      Red is any of a number of similar colors evoked by light consisting predominantly of the longest wavelengths of light discernible by the human eye, in the wavelength range of roughly 625?740 Nanometer....
       for diplomats.


    In the case of Suriname, the Passport is adorned with the national symbols for the Republic of Suriname, as well as the CARICOM insignia on its cover. President of the Republic of Suriname
    President of Suriname

    The President of the Republic of Suriname is, in accordance with the Constitution of 1987, the head of state, head of government, and commander-in-chief of Suriname....
     Ronald Venetiaan
    Ronald Venetiaan

    Ronald Runaldo Venetiaan is a mathematician and the current president of Suriname. His first term as president was from 1991 to 1996, but he lost presidential elections to Jules Wijdenbosch....
     received the first of these new CARICOM passports.

    Antigua and Barbuda's design is to feature the country's Coat of Arms and country name as well as the CARICOM logo.

    The passports for Suriname were created by the Canadian Banknote Company Ltd
    Canadian Bank Note Company

    The Canadian Bank Note Company is responsible for printing the paper currency of Economy of Canada. It also prints and provides document reading systems for identification cards, lottery tickets, stamps and notes for other countries, and many other security-conscious printing-related services....
    . (CBN) Under a five-year programme with a price tag of US$1.5 million. It is believed other member states of CARICOM will now soon follow with the introduction of their own branded version of the national 'CARICOM' Passport.

    CARICOM Visa and the Single Domestic Space

    During the July 2006 CARICOM Summit, the various leaders reached an agreement on measures to ensure hassle-free movement for visitors to the 2007 Cricket World Cup
    2007 Cricket World Cup

    The 2007 International Cricket Council Cricket World cup competition took place in the West Indies from 13 March to 28 April 2007, using the sport's One Day International format....
    , as well intelligence sharing and cooperation for the security of the event. People were originally to be able to travel amongst the nine host countries
    2007 Cricket World Cup

    The 2007 International Cricket Council Cricket World cup competition took place in the West Indies from 13 March to 28 April 2007, using the sport's One Day International format....
     and Dominica
    Dominica

    The Commonwealth of Dominica, commonly known as Dominica, is an island nation in the Caribbean Sea. To the north/northwest lies Guadeloupe, to the southeast Martinique....
     between 15 January 2007 and 15 May 2007 using a single CARICOM visa. However, during a meeting in Trinidad and Tobago on 29 December 2006, the Heads of Government decided to push back the creation of the Single Domestic Space to 1 February 2007 in response to representation from tourism ministers and others involved in the tourism industry. A single CARICOM visa had been considered for the Cricket World Cup as far back as March 2005. The (CARICOM) visas were originally to have been issued from 15 August 2006, but that deadline was pushed back to early November 2006 however, that deadline also lapsed. Finally it was announced on 4 December 2006 that the visas were ready and the application process began on 15 December 2006. The visas were issued by three CARICOM states (Barbados, Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago) outside of the region on the behalf of the 10 countries. Jamaica issued the Common CARICOM Visa at its consulates in Miami, New York and Toronto. Trinidad and Tobago issued the visas at its embassy in New Delhi, India and made special arrangements to open up a facility in Sydney, Australia, attached to its honorary consulate there. Barbados issued the visas at its High Commission in London for a number of countries. These international venues were ready to accept applications by 15 December 2006. Additionally, those in need of visas who were already in CARICOM states could apply directly to the special visa sites there. For countries that have no Caribbean representatives, the CARICOM visa would originally have been issued by the UK, but this was no longer the case and instead the application form were made available for those unable to download it. In addition to the six issuing sites, remote sites had been set up to facilitate persons requiring the visa. These sites were located in Geneva (Jamaican permanent mission to the office of specialized agencies of the UN), Berlin (Jamaican embassy), Brussels (Barbadian embassy), Beijing (Jamaican embassy) and Caracas (Trinidadian embassy). In late January, the Pakistan Cricket Board began lobbying for a satellite visa office to be setup in Pakistan for fans there who were having trouble obtaining the visa from the New Delhi site. The visa cost US$100 and it was expected that most visas would be issued between two to three weeks after application. Applicants first had to satisfy security requirements and other local immigration criteria before being granted the visa, which would only be valid from 1 February to 15 May in 2007. The common CARICOM visa was originally supposed be applicable to the nationals of 46 countries, but was finally made applicable to all nationalities with the following exceptions: citizens of Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, South Africa, Spain, the United States of America, the United Kingdom and all of the dependent territories, associated states and departments of those countries do not require the visa. Citizens of CARICOM member states (excepting Haiti), associate member states or persons who were in the region and enjoying status as residents, or were on visitors visas, work permits, and student visas were also not be required to obtain the visa By January, the Heads of Government also moved to waive the visa fees for children under age of 12, thus easing the cost for families. Non-accredited diplomats or persons travelling on diplomatic or official passports; cricket teams, officials, media and sponsors and their spouses and children; Cuban nationals and seamen and airline crew entering to join vessels/aircraft were also exempted from payment (but not necessarily from the visa requirement).

    Cruise ship passengers not staying more than 24 hours at any of the 10 Caribbean countries were issued with a CARICOM day pass. However, those who were staying on cruise ships, dubbed “floating hotels” for the duration of the games, were required to obtain a visa unless their countries fell within those that are exempted. Visa abolition agreements between some of the ten Caribbean states concerned and countries whose citizens were then required to obtain CARICOM visas during the Cricket World Cup provided for the suspension of the visa-free policy in such cases.

    During the 31/2 month period from February to May, the ten Caribbean countries became a “single domestic space” in which travellers only had their passport stamped and had to submit completed entry and departure forms at the first port and country of entry. The entry and departure forms were also standardised for all ten countries. When continuing travel throughout the Single Domestic Space, persons (including those using the common visa) were not required to have their documents processed to clear customs and immigration and did not need to have their passports stamped, but still needed to travel with them. Once passengers arrived at the Immigration Department Desk at the first port of entry, they were provided with a blue CARICOM wristband that identified them for hassle free movement through the single domestic space.

    By 1 February 2007 officials in Barbados announced that of 6 000+ CARICOM visas applied for thus far, about 5 000 had already been processed. The Barbados government went on with the announcement saying that the rest of the CARICOM visas would be processed soon. By 5 March 2007, shortly before the start of the Cricket World Cup, over 20,000 CARICOM visas had been issued and by the end of April, at the end of the Cricket World Cup, over 42,000 visas had been issued, with only 1,540 applications being denied, primarily for reasons of human trafficking. When the single domestic space came to an end on 15 May 2007 nearly 45,000 visas had been issued.

    In February 2007 the CARICOM Heads of Government agreed to set up a Task Force to recommend a revised CARICOM Special Visa for the future, making any changes necessary from the experiences of the 3 month Single Domestic Space. This Task Force had its first meeting on 25 May in Trinidad and Tobago and reported to the July 2007 Meeting of CARICOM Heads of Government in Barbados. In addition, a paper will also be presented on the issue of how best to establish a rationalised Single Domestic Space to facilitate hassle-free travel within the region on a permanent basis.

    CARICOM Travel Card

    At the 28th CARICOM Heads of Government Conference in Barbados it was agreed to implement a CARICOM travel card that will be issued to every CARICOM national except those on the Community’s watch list. An implementation plan for the document will be put together and submitted to the Heads at the next inter-sessional meeting to be held in September. The card will virtually maintain the ‘single domestic space’ and holders will not need a passport, during inter-community travel. The card will also allow a CARICOM national an automatic six-month stay in any territory within the bloc. It is not expected to affect the security of the member countries, as any holder will be deported if he or she breaks the law. Similar to the "Pass Cards" available in other parts of the world, the new card would be the size of a credit card and will feature facial and fingerprinting biometrics – so upon arrival at an airport, travellers can swipe the card in the machine which will open the barrier allowing them to walk through. In addition to being available to all CARICOM national, the card would be available to expatriates who have legal status in a member country. Their card would be time-bound in a way that is linked exclusively to the time of their legal status. The cost of acquiring the card is to yet be determined, but the country leaders have agreed that the proceeds would go towards offsetting the cost of enhanced security at the ports.

    Future proposals

    • Airline amalgamation
    • Civil Society Charter
    • Currency Union
      CARICOM Single Market and Economy

      The CARICOM Single Market and Economy also known as the Caribbean Single Market and Economy or CSME is an integrated development strategy envisioned at the 10th Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community which took place in July 1989 in Grand Anse, Grenada....
    • Freedom of Movement
      CARICOM Single Market and Economy

      The CARICOM Single Market and Economy also known as the Caribbean Single Market and Economy or CSME is an integrated development strategy envisioned at the 10th Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community which took place in July 1989 in Grand Anse, Grenada....
    • Political Union(s)
    • Regionalised Stock Exchange


    Free trade

    From around the year 2000, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) states have placed a new focus and emphasis on establishing Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with local and international trading partners. This is practically done in collaboration with the Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery (CRNM).

    Preferential agreements
    • CARICOM - Venezuela
      Venezuela

      Venezuela , officially the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a country on the northern coast of South America.The country comprises a continental mainland and numerous islands located off the Venezuelan coastline in the Caribbean Sea....
       (1 January 1993)
    • CARICOM - Colombia
      Colombia

      Colombia , officially the Republic of Colombia , is a country in north-western South America. Colombia is bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the north west by Panama; and to the west by the Pacific Ocean....
       (1 January 1995)


    Free Trade Agreements
    • CARICOM - Cuba
      Cuba

      The Republic of Cuba is a country in the Caribbean. It consists of the island of Cuba , the island of Isla de la Juventud, and several adjacent small islands....
       (5 July 2000)
    • CARICOM - Dominican Republic
      Dominican Republic

      The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are List of divided islands, Saint Martin being the other....
       (December 2001)
    • CARICOM - Costa Rica
      Costa Rica

      Costa Rica, officially the Republic of Costa Rica is a country in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua to the north, Panama to the east and south, the Pacific Ocean to the west and south and the Caribbean Sea to the east....
       (9 March 2004)
    • CARIFORUM - European Union
      European Union

      The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 European Union member state, located primarily in Europe. It was established by the Treaty of Maastricht on 1 November 1993 upon the foundations of the pre-existing European Economic Community....
       EPA ("Economic Partnership Agreements
      Economic Partnership Agreements

      Economic Partnership Agreements are a scheme to create a free trade area between the European Commission of the European Union and the ACP countries countries....
      "): Signed by all member states (less Guyana and Haiti) on 15 October 2008 in Barbados. Guyana later signed on 20 October 2008 in Brussels. (Montserrat is an Overseas territory of the United Kingdom and is thus exempt.)


    Proposed
    • CARICOM - Canada
      Canada

      Canada is a country occupying most of northern North America, extending from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west and northward into the Arctic Ocean....
      : To be negotiated, after Canada finishes their CAFTA
      Canada Central American Free Trade Agreement

      The Canada Central American Free Trade Agreement is a proposed free trade free trade agreement between Canada and the Central American states of Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua, collectively referred to as the CA4....
       agreement.
    • CARICOM - Mercosur
      Mercosur

      Mercosur or Mercosul is a Regional Trade Agreement among Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay founded in 1991 by the Treaty of Asunci?n, which was later amended and updated by the 1994 Treaty of Ouro Preto....
      : Opened for discussions in May 2005
    • CARICOM - United States
      United States

      The United States of America is a Federal government constitutional republic comprising U.S. state and a federal district. The country is situated mostly in central North America, where its Contiguous United States and Washington, D.C., the Capital districts and territories, lie between the Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Oceans, Borders of the U...
      : Has been tossed around politically in various degrees including the idea of CARICOM seeking to be an entrant into NAFTA, but has not yet taken a firm position.


    Note that the on-going negotiations with the EU over an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) involves all the CARICOM Member States (except Montserrat, which is not independent) plus the Dominican Republic grouped under the Caribbean Forum or CARIFORUM sub-grouping of the ACP countries
    ACP countries

    The ACP States , alternately called the Group of African, Caribbean and Pacific countries are the countries that are signatories of the Lom? Convention....
    . At the end of these negotiations (begun in 2002 and due to end in 2007) there will be a new Free Trade Agreement that will replace the Lomé system of preferential access
    Lomé Convention

    The Lom? Convention is a trade and aid agreement between the European Union and 71 ACP countries, first signed in February 1975 in Lom?, Togo....
     to the European market for the ACP from 2008.

    Petrocaribe


    13 of the 15 CARICOM countries have signed in 2005 the Petrocaribe
    Petrocaribe

    Petrocaribe S. A. is a Caribbean oil alliance with Venezuela to purchase oil on conditions of preferential payment. The alliance was launched in June 2005....
    , an oil alliance with Venezuela
    Venezuela

    Venezuela , officially the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a country on the northern coast of South America.The country comprises a continental mainland and numerous islands located off the Venezuelan coastline in the Caribbean Sea....
     which permits them to purchase oil on conditions of preferential payment.

    See also

    • CSME
    • Petrocaribe
      Petrocaribe

      Petrocaribe S. A. is a Caribbean oil alliance with Venezuela to purchase oil on conditions of preferential payment. The alliance was launched in June 2005....
    • North American Free Trade Agreement
      North American Free Trade Agreement

      The North American Free Trade Agreement is a trilateral trade bloc in North America created by the governments of the United States, Canada, and Mexico....
       (NAFTA)
    • North American Union
      North American Union

      The North American Union is a theoretical Regionalism of Canada, Mexico, and the United States similar in structure to the European Union, sometimes including a common currency called the Amero....
       (NAU)
    • Union of South American Nations (UNASUR)


    External links

  • The Community's Web site
      • : Statistical information compiled through the CARICOM Secretariat
      • : the voice of the Caribbean Community ()
      • : The CSME website (T&T)
      • : Website and online database of the CARICOM Legislative Drafting Facility (CLDF)
      • : Government of Trinidad and Tobago
      • : Pan Caribbean Partnership Against HIV/AIDS
      • (CROSQ)
    • - Regional GDP stands at EC$60 billion.
    • Thursday, December 11th, 2008