Avenues being explored to push CSME vision

The CARICOM Private Sector Organisation (CPSA) and the Guyana Oil and Gas Energy Chamber (GOGEC) are exploring avenues for cooperation in an effort to address a number of lingering issues and help advance the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME).

In a press release, Technical Director of the CPSO Dr Patrick Antoine said both sides have acknowledged “the critical partnership that is necessary between the member states of CARICOM and their respective private sectors, in order to advance the vision for the CSME, as articulated by the Honourable Mia Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados and Lead Head with Responsibility for the CSME in the CARICOM Quasi Cabinet”.

In this regard, Antoine noted the importance of regular dialogue between the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM, and the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) and the CPSO.

He said this was critical “particularly in areas such as achieving regional food security and industrial development, as well as in addressing subject areas such as non-tariff barriers, and front of package labelling (FOPL).

President of the GOGEC Manniram Prashad supported this position, saying it was in his company’s interest “to align itself with the CPSO through membership”.

He said to this end, GOGEC will review the aims and objectives of the CPSO to identify synergies and possible areas of convergence.

The representatives of the CPSO and the GOGEC held exploratory discussions last Friday at the Georgetown Office of GOGEC on the role of the private sector in the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME). They used the opportunity to exchange information on both institutions, recalling their historical antecedents and their respective mandates.

The meeting ended with a pledge by the two sides to collaborate going forward to better position the private sector in the task of regional integration.