Chicokid
March 20, 2006, 08:58 PM
UNITED NATIONS, New York: Recent hurricanes have blown Grenada off course on its way to the CARICOM Single Market (CSM), even though its neighboring Eastern Caribbean countries are expected to join the regional trade bloc this summer.
And Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell does not know when his hurricane-affected nation will make it into the grouping.
The prime minister told the Amsterdam News that Grenada may not be able to join the CSM on time.
"The expected date is July... my own bet is that Grenada may not necessarily be ready because with the advent of Hurricanes Ivan (2004) and Emily (2005), Grenada would have been marginalized," he said, explaining that the island's manufacturing, hotel and agricultural sectors have been seriously hurt.
"For us to get in now with competition among the parties ... would make us start on an unleveled playing field which would make it very difficult," said Dr. Mitchell, who hinted that the implementation of the Regional Development Fund -- to beef up human resource development, technology and cheaper sources of energy -- would factor into Grenada’s decision to join.
The CSM, which is expected to provide more and better opportunities to produce and sell goods and services in the region, and to attract investment to it, creates one large market among the participating member states.
Read more Here (http://www.caribbeannetnews.com/cgi-script/csArticles/articles/000009/000920.htm)
And Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell does not know when his hurricane-affected nation will make it into the grouping.
The prime minister told the Amsterdam News that Grenada may not be able to join the CSM on time.
"The expected date is July... my own bet is that Grenada may not necessarily be ready because with the advent of Hurricanes Ivan (2004) and Emily (2005), Grenada would have been marginalized," he said, explaining that the island's manufacturing, hotel and agricultural sectors have been seriously hurt.
"For us to get in now with competition among the parties ... would make us start on an unleveled playing field which would make it very difficult," said Dr. Mitchell, who hinted that the implementation of the Regional Development Fund -- to beef up human resource development, technology and cheaper sources of energy -- would factor into Grenada’s decision to join.
The CSM, which is expected to provide more and better opportunities to produce and sell goods and services in the region, and to attract investment to it, creates one large market among the participating member states.
Read more Here (http://www.caribbeannetnews.com/cgi-script/csArticles/articles/000009/000920.htm)