2 T T T h h h e e e C C C A A A R R R I I I B B B B B B E E E A A A N N N S S S i i i n n n g g g l l l e e e M M M a a a r r r k k k e e e t t t & & & E E E c c c o o o n n n o o o m m m y y y 1. What is the Caribbean Single Market & Economy? he CSME is an integration arrangement that allows for the establishment of a single market and a single economy for the members of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). The CARICOM member states are: Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago (see map of the Caribbean Basin below). T C S M E
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he CSME is an integration arrangement that allows for
the establishment of a single market and a single
economy for the members of the Caribbean Community
(CARICOM). The CARICOM member states are: Antigua
and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica,
Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Lucia,
St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines,
Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago (see map of the
Caribbean Basin below).
T
C S M E
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2. What is the Caribbean Single Market?
It is an arrangement among the member states which will allow
CARICOM goods, services, people and capital to move throughout
the Caribbean Community without tariffs and restrictions, to
achieve a single large economic space, and to provide for a common
economic and trade policy. The Caibbean Single Market was
established among Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados and Jamaica in
2005. The remaining members of CARICOM should participate in
the single market in 2006.
3. What is the Caribbean Single Economy?
The Caribbean Single Economy is an arrangement that will further
harmonise macroeconomic management across all Member States of
the Caribbean Community, to underpin the sustainable development
of the Region. This will entail the coordination of the monetary,
foreign exchange and fiscal policies of the member countries in the
context of their economic convergence. It is anticipated that the
Caribbean Single Economy will be implemented in 2008.
4. Why the Caribbean Single Market & Economy?
The notion of a Caribbean region without borders, strengthened by
its collective resources and opportunities, has been a vision that has
inspired Caribbean integrationists since 1958 and which led to the
establishment of the British West Indies Federation.
Subsequently, globalisation and trade liberalisation have
crystallised the need to put in place the instruments and
institutions to facilitate further economic development in the
Region. This gave rise to the establishment of the Caribbean Free
Trade Association (CARIFTA) in 1965 and the Caribbean
Community and Common Market in 1973. In 2002, the decision
was taken to replace the Common Market with a Caribbean Single
Market and Economy (CSME), strategically positioning the
Community to participate in the globalised arena.
5. How will the Caribbean Single Market and Economy be
implemented?
5.1 The Treaty of Chaguaramas of 1973, which established the
Caribbean Community and Common Market, was revised.
This revised Treaty, which was signed by CARICOM
Heads of Government in 2002, now establishes the CSME.
5.2 The Treaty was amended by way of Protocols. There arenine Protocols which address (1) the Organs, Institutions,and Procedures of the Community, (2) the Right ofEstablishment, that is, the Right to provide Services andthe Right to move Capital by any CARICOM national in
5 6
the Community, (3) a Community Industrial Policy, (4)Trade Liberalisation, (5) the Community AgriculturalPolicy, (6) the Community Transport Policy, (8) the needsof Disadvantaged Countries, Regions and Sectors, and (9)Disputes Settlement and the Rules of Competition withinthe Region. These Protocols are now Chapters within theRevised Treaty.
5.3 National laws, policies and programmes of Member States
must be modified to accommodate the CSME.
5.4 Active interest in and participation of the Region’s people in
the Caribbean Single Market and Economy are essential.
6. What are some of the benefits of the Caribbean Single
Market and Economy?
Some benefits of the Caribbean Single Market and Economy should
be:
6.1 Increased production and trade in goods and services in a
combined market of 6.1 million persons, with land area of
approximately 421,000 km and an estimated gross domestic
product of US$14.8 billion (in 1996).
6.2 More competitive products of better quality and prices.
6.3 Improved services provided by enterprises and individuals, including transportation and communication.
6.4 Greater opportunity for “hassle-free” travel within the
Region.
6.5 Greater opportunities for nationals to study and work in
CARICOM countries of their choice.
6.6 Increased employment and improved standards of living.
6.7 A well-functioning, harmonised regional financial market
will facilitate economic activity and growth. There will be
increased opportunities to invest in companies region-wide.
The harmonisation of monetary and fiscal policy measures could
provide the platform for macroeconomic stability within the
region, resulting in continued regional growth and development.
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Further Reading
Chabrol, D., Caribbean Single Market timetable on track, Caricomview, May - June 2001, p. 15
Clayton, C. and McKoy, J., Employers and the CSME, CaribbeanAccountant 2004, p. 27-29
Field-Ridley, D., Caribbean Single Market and Economy: free movement and competitiveness, Port of Spain: UNDP, 2003
Inside the Caribbean Single Market & Economy, Jamaica business,vol. 5, no. 3, November 2004, p. 31-40
Iyare, O., Skilled labour and international specialisation in the Caribbean region, St. Kitts: CCMS, 2003.
Jackson, J., Assessing the distribution of costs and benefits in the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME), St. Kitts: CCMS, 2003, p. 29
Progress made in the implementation of the Caribbean Single Market and Economy, United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean/Caribbean Development and Cooperative Committee (UN ECLAC/CDCC), series 1, 2003.
Rainford, R.G., Towards an integrated single market in the Caribbean Community, An address to the South Trinidad Chamber ofCommerce, 1989.
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CSME Facts & Figures
CSME Member
States
Antigua & Barbuda Barbados Belize
Head of
Government
Hon. Baldwin Spencer The Rt. Hon. Owen
Arthur
Hon. Said W.
Musa
Population (year)
72,310 (2000) 250,010 (2000) 232,111(2000)
Currency Eastern Caribbean
Dollar (EC$)
Barbados Dollar
(Bds$)
Belize Dollar
(Bz$)
Exchange rate
regime
Fixed peg
EC$2.70 = US$1.00
Fixed peg
Bds$2.00 = US$1.00
Fixed peg
Bz$2.00 =
US$1.00
Per capita GDP US$9,244.34 US$9,988.83 US$3,792.75
Area 442 km2 (170 miles2) 431 km2 (170 miles2) 22,966 km2