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CSME Project Launched In Jamaica

KINGSTON, Jamaica - A Caricom project backed by Canada was launched in Kingston Tuesday to drive implementation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME).
The CSME aims to harmonise rules for the movement of capital, goods and services, as well as skills among the member countries of the regional trading bloc.
Phase two of the CARICOM-Canadian International Development Agency Trade and Competitiveness Project (CTCP) aims to drive the process by "harmonising legislative and administrative systems and processes" among CARICOM member states.

Former Jamaica prime minister wants Caribbean leaders to speak up on Dominican Republican action

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – Former Jamaica prime minister PJ Patterson says the 15-member Caribbean Community (CARICOM) grouping needs to strongly condemn recent developments in the Dominican Republic that could render stateless, thousands of persons of Haitian descent.
The Constitutional Court in Santo Domingo has ruled in favour of stripping citizenship from children of Haitian migrants. The decision applies to those born after 1929 — a category that overwhelmingly includes descendants of Haitians brought in to work on farms.

House Approves CARICOM Act Amendments

KINGSTON, Jamaica - The House of Representatives Tuesday passed a bill which seeks to amend the Caribbean Community (Free Movement of Skilled Persons) Act.
The bill was passed without the parliamentary Opposition contributing to the debate.
Labour and Social Security Minister Derrick Kellier opened debate on the bill last week, after which it was suspended. However, yesterday, no member of the Opposition rose to make an input in the debate, and government members stayed silent.

Myrie Scored A Victory For Us All

KINGSTON, Jamaica - Shanique Myrie, a Jamaican woman of humble background, sued the Barbados government and apparently won several rights for all CARICOM citizens. She spoke up for equal rights and justice. It was financially costly and time consuming. Myrie's attitude and actions can be considered heroic.

CCJ judgment to shift way in which business is conducted in CARICOM

KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC - Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Irwin LaRocque, says the recent judgment by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) in the case of Shanique Myrie and the Government of Barbados will lead to a shift in the way affairs in the Community are conducted.

Lawmakers Give Nod To Decriminalisation Of Ganja

KINGSTON, Jamaica - LAWMAKERS YESTERDAY gave the nod to a private member's motion calling for the decriminalisation of ganja following two weeks of rigorous debate which saw members on the government side split on the issue.
Despite sharp divisions among members of parliament (MP) on the controversial issue, at the end of yesterday's debate, the motion was passed without a voice of dissent.
Contributing to the debate, Central St James MP Lloyd B. Smith came down on the side of decriminalising the weed but cautioned about the implemen-tation of any such proposed legislation.

Concerns over rising exchange rate for US currency in Jamaica

KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Former finance minister Audley Shaw Tuesday called on the Jamaica government to implement a number of measures aimed at slowing or reversing the exchange rate of the local dollar against the United States currency.
Shaw, who is seeking to take over the leadership of the main opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), said that the Portia Simpson Miller administration would need to implement the measures as a “means of restoring confidence in the economy”.

Arnaldo Ventura Appointed To CARICOM Committee

KINGSTON, Jamaica - Dr Arnoldo Ventura, professor at The Mico University College, has been invited by the Prime Minister responsible for Science and Technology in CARICOM, Dr Keith Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada, to serve on the CARICOM Committee for Science, Technology and Innovation.

Can the CCJ impose law on non-members?

KINGSTON, Jamaica - ON October 4, the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) handed down its ruling in the case of Ms Shanique Myrie against the Government of Barbados for being denied entry, being physically abused, and deported to Jamaica in March 2011.
Ms Myrie sued the Government of Barbados and was awarded BD$77,240 and the refund of her medical expenses, airline ticket and reasonable legal expenses. The decision demonstrates that the CCJ, even in its infancy, can help to protect the rights of citizens of Caricom countries.

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