KINGSTON, Jamaica - Forty years is not a long time in the life of an organisation. However, it is sufficient time to make an assessment of its performance towards achieving its mission, vision and strategic goals. CARICOM, which was formed by former colonies in the British West Indies in their quest to promote regional integration, has come under serious scrutiny about its performance as a regional integration movement over the last four decades. In this 40th year of the movement's anniversary, Ronald Mason, in his column in The Sunday Gleaner on May 5, 2013, turned the spotlight fully on the efficacy of the CARICOM project. He questioned openly whether or not the project benefits Jamaica, one of the founding members of the movement.