The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat continues its drive to ensure that key stakeholders are knowledgeable about the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) and its significant benefits.

On Wednesday, November 2, a one-day CSME sensitization workshop is being convened in Guyana. Approximately 30 participants from private sector entities and rural organizations will assemble at the Guyana Marriott Hotel for information sharing and dialogue regarding the CSME. The activity is facilitated under the 10th European Development Fund (EDF) CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) and Economic Integration Programme (EIP). The opening ceremony will be addressed by Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Neville Totaram, Assistant Secretary-General for Trade and Economic Integration- CARICOM Secretariat, Mr Joseph Cox and representative of the Delegation of the European Union to Guyana, Agriculture Programme Manager, Mr. Albert Losseau.

Presentations will be delivered by resource persons from the CARICOM Secretariat and will include topics such as the current status of the CSME; the CSME as a platform for private sector growth and development; and facilitating agricultural trade and investment in the CSME. The presentations will be followed by dialogue sessions in which participants can share their experiences and clarify issues surrounding the CSME. At the end of the workshop, participants should have a better appreciation of the benefits of the CSME for their respective sectors and how to take full advantage of them. Then, on Thursday, November 3, a public sensitization session on facilitation of travel will be held in Le Resouvenir. Participants will be informed about their rights and responsibilities as CARICOM nationals travelling within the CSME for work, leisure or business.
Another private sector and rural communities CSME workshop will also be hosted in Suriname on Friday, November 4 for approximately 40 participants. Similar workshops have already been held in Barbados, Jamaica and St. Vincent and the Grenadines with a final one scheduled for Belize later this month.