CARICOM HEADS AND REGIONAL MEDIA MEET TO PROPEL THE CSME

The Second Special Consultation on the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) will take place in Barbados on 20-21 November, 2000 with CARICOM Heads of Government meeting with the regional media networks to intensify the CSME's Public Education Programme.

The two-day deliberations will examine circumstances shaping the CSME with a view to designing a campaign aimed at deepening the intra-regional arrangements to bolster the regional initiative. In addition to looking at the implementation of agreed policies and instruments, as well as governance and institutional developments in the Single Market and Economy, the forum is expected to deliberate on "the way forward".

The prevailing factors challenging the coordination and implementation of policies and instruments at the national level, and public education of the masses across the Region are also likely to come up for discussion.

The Forum will also consider the establishment and operation of key Community institutions, including the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), and the Caribbean Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ).

At the regional level, the Consultation is likely to focus on the involvement of the Bureau of Heads of Government and the Assembly of Caribbean Community Parliamentarians (ACCP) in the legislative agenda in achieving the ratification of the Treaty and the implementation of legislation for the various aspects of the CSME. Additionally, the Quasi Cabinet portfolios will engage the attention of the Consultation.

Strengthening of the facilitation apparatus is one of the expected results of the Consultation to quicken the pace of implementation of the CSME.

Barbados which holds the portfolio for the CSME, including the Monetary Union, will chair the Meeting.