By Sue-Ann Wayow
THE survival of the economy of Trinidad and Tobago depends on the strength of the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME).
This is according to Minister of CARICOM and Foreign Affairs Dr Amery Browne.
On Monday, Dr Browne held a press conference to discuss issues surrounding the CSME and to debunk any statement by the Opposition that Trinidad and Tobago’s involvement would do more harm than good for the country.
He said, “No one country can stand alone in a globalised world.”
Adding that it was too late to turn back now, Dr Browne said the Opposition was encouraging fear amongst the population especially through Opposition Senator Wade Mark .
The Immigration (Caribbean Community Skilled Nationals) Amendment Bill, 2022 is presently being debated in Parliament.
Giving a history of the development of the CSME that allows for the movement of free trade and labour amongst its members, Dr Browne said with the new legislation, skilled persons will have more opportunities to earn money from a Caribbean island and vice versa as there was now 10 categories to choose from instead of the previous five.
It was also an opportunity for persons in the global diaspora to return to the Caribbean region if they desire he said.
Trinidad and Tobago is a signatory along with 13 other members states to the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas which brought the CSME into effect in 2001.
“Caricom is not the problem, it is a solution to the problem,” the minister said.
Referring to Mark’s statements, Dr Browne described as a “crazy theory” the idea of encouraging an influx of migrants looking for work.
“We all stand to benefit, every citizen of Trinidad and Tobago stand to benefit from these amendments and the region as a whole. By adding Trinidad and Tobago to that long list of countries that already recognises the 10 categories will elevate and empower all of us and help make CARICOM even more of a factor to be reckoned with on the global scale.”
Artistes, musicians, sportspersons and media workers are amongst the group of persons who stand to benefit.
Last Thursday, Mark lambasted the government for the proposed amendment saying that it would encourage voter padding and a an even bigger migrant population when the country already has its problems to deal with.
Dr Browne said, “ It is sad that in the year 2022, I have to educate and inform a UNC senator on the basis of the CSME.”
He said, “Don’t listen to the anti-regionalists who wants to take us back to the past, who wants to keep us apart. Our very survival and future of CARICOM is in our hands…
“These amendments have nothing to do with voter padding or the capacity of any CARICOM national to vote in Trinidad and Tobago. That is not being amended within this Amendment Bill that is before the Senate.”
He said if Mark was so concerned about voter padding all he needed to do was to call the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) to inquire about the criteria for being allowed to vote.
Seven-member states have already passed legislation for the 10 categories with Barbados passing legislation for 12.
