Concepts Associated with Regional Integration

● Bilateral Agreement - An agreement between two groups, countries or nations

● Multilateral agreement - Agreement among many groups, countries of nations.

● Common Market - An economic unit, formed of nations , intended to eliminate or markedly

reduce trade barriers among its members

● Single market - A group of countries that have few or no restrictions on the movement of
goods, money and people between the members of the group

● Economic integration - the process by which the economies of a group of countries are
drawn more closely together so that the group as well as the individual countries becomes
stronger or more developed.

● Independent State - self government of a county , nation or state by its residents and
population

● Underdeveloped country - a relatively poor country with little or no material well being.

● Developing country - a country that has not yet reached the stage of economic growth to
stand on its own for further growth.

● Developed country - a country that has high level of development and high gross domestic
product (GDP) per capita.

● Trade Liberalization - the movement towards the removal of trade barriers among the
members of the World Trade Organization (WTO)

● Globalization - the process by which countries all over the world are becoming connected or
similar because large companies are doing business in many different countries.

● Multinational Corporation - Sometimes called transnational corporation is a corporation or

enterprise that manages production and delivers services in more than one country.

● Trading Bloc - made up of a large number of countries, with the same political and
economic aims, linked by special trading arrangements among them.

● Free trade Area - an arrangement whereby a group of countries agrees to remove the tariff
and non-tariff barriers to trade among them.

● Intra-Regional Trade - countries in the region buying locally produced goods from or selling
locally produced goods to, other countries in the region.
● Fiscal Policy - the use of government spending and revenue collection to influence
economy.

● Monetary Policy - the process a government, central bank or monetary authority of a

country uses to control the supply of money, availability of money and cost of money or rate
of interest to attain a set of objectives oriented towards the growth of the economy.
● There is a wide range of challenges facing the Caribbean region that has slowed the overall
growth. These challenges have brought together our regional leaders who have sought to
tackle the problems that have continued to affect the growth and development of the region.

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There were overriding reasons for the Caribbean states to integrate, some of which are included
below:

● The resources of each country were limited

● The Caribbean countries all faced similar economic, political and social problems

● The Caribbean countries share a common history, culture and people.

● Individual countries were too small to make their presence felt on the world stage

The above issues faced by the Caribbean countries require common solutions, thus integration was
inevitable.
MEMBERSHIP

WEST INDIES FEDERATION

This was the first major attempt at regional integration in the Caribbean. They operated on the
principle of strengthening the movement for self government, promoting economic development and
to safeguard the democratic system of the member states that included:

● Antigua

● Barbados

● Grenada

● Dominica

● Jamaica

● Montserrat
 ● St Kitts/Nevis/ Anguilla

● St. Vincent

● St. Lucia

● Trinidad and Tobago

Membership of the Association of Caribbean States

West Indies Associated States Council of Ministers (WISA

Membership

The membership of the West Indies States Council of Ministers included:

Caribbean Free Trade Association

MEMBESHIP

CARIFTA

(Caribbean Free Trade Association)

Members of OECS
 ASSOCIATE
MEMBERS
OF OECS
INCLUDE:

Anguilla

British Virgin Islands

Caribbean Community & Common Market

MEMBERSHIP

CARICOM (1973)
Functions of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS)

The following bodies (Principal Institutions) have seen to the proper functioning of the
OECS.

1. The Authority of Heads of Government of member states - This consist of the Prime
Ministers of Member States. This institution is regarded as the supreme policy making institution
of the OECS as they are bequeathed with the responsibility for the general direction and overall
operation of the organization.

2. The Foreign Affairs Committee - Responsible for coordinating and developingforeign

policies for the entire OECS Member States.
3. The Defence and Security Committee - This committee is responsible for ensuring that there
is concerted and cooperative action among member states in defending their sovereignty,
political independence and the democratic system of government.

4. The Economic Affairs Committee - This committee is responsible for the economic affairs
of the OECS. It ensures that member states trade freely among each other and formulates plans
for further economic development

5. The Central Secretariat - This arm isresponsible for the general management of the OECS.

The OECS is very organized, and this has led to the formation of other institutions that
assist in the performance of their functioning, namely:

1. Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) - The Monetary Authority for the Member States
of the OECS.

2. Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court - Adjudicates over the Member States of the OECS.

3. Directorate of Civil Aviation (DCA) - Serves as advisors to the governments of the OECS on
all matters relating to Civil Aviation - airports and airfields developments, adequacy and
efficiency of air services etc.

4. Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Authority (ECTEL) - Responsible for

establishing code of ethics and regulatory policies which govern and guide the management of
the Telecommunications Sector in the Member States.

Functions of the CARICOM Secretariat

The Caricom Secretariat is the principal administrative organ of the Community. It is

located in Georgetown, Guyana. This organ is headed by the SECRETARY GENERAL.
The functions of the Caricom Secretariat include:

§ Making arrangements to facilitate meetings of the Organs and Institutions of the

community.
§ Implementing and taking appropriate follow-up action on determinations taken by any
Caricom body or institutions.

§ Initiating, organizing and conducting studies on issues relating to economic integration.

§ making available , on request , services to Member States of the Community on matters

relating to the achievement of its objective.

§ Collecting, storing and disseminating to Member states the activities of donor agencies,
international, regional and national institutions for the achievement of objectives of the
community.

§ Preparing draft budgets and conducting fact-finding assignments in member states.

§ Providing technical assistance to national authorities to facilitate the implementation of

Community decisions.

Principal Organs of CARICOM

The Principal Organs of Caricom are assisted by four Ministerial Councils:

● The Council for Trade and Economic Development ( COTED)

● The Council for Foreign and Community Relations ( COFCOR)

● The Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD)

● The Council for Finance and Planning ( COFAP)

Functions of the Conference of Heads of Government

The Conference of Heads of Government consists of the heads of government or Prime Ministers of
each member state of the Caribbean Community, with the exception of Guyana and Suriname who
has Executive Presidents representing their interests. Montserrat uses their chief Minister to
represent their interests at the Conference of Heads of Government. The heads of Government are
expected to meet at least once a year and carry out the following functions:

● Decide on policies and general direction of Caricom

● Act as the final authority for the conclusion of treaties on behalf of Caricom and for entering
into relationships between Caricom and International bodies.

● resolve conflict and disputes among member states

● make the financial arrangements to meet the expenses of the community.

Objectives of CSME
In February, 2002, the Caricom treaty was revised, thus giving birth to the Caricom Single Market
and Economy. This saw to the deepening of relationship among Caricom Member States. This was
necessary to due to the process of Globalization.

The following are some of the outlined objectives of the CSME:

● Free movement of goods, services, labour and capital among the Member States

● Improved standard of living and work

● Full employment of labour and other factors of production

● Accelerated, co-ordinated and sustained economic development

● Expansion of trade and economic relationships with third states

● Enhanced levels of international competitiveness

● Organization for increased production and productivity

● The achievement of a greater measure of economic leverage and effectiveness of Member

States in dealing with third States, groups of States and entities of any description;

● Enhanced co-ordination of Member States foreign and extra-regional economic policies

 ● Enhanced functional co-operation including:

(i) More efficient operation of common services and activities for the benefit of its peoples

(ii) Accelerated promotion of greater understanding among its people and the advancement of their
social,
cultural and technological development

(iii) Intensified activities in areas such as health, education, transportation, and telecommunications

Objectives of Caricom

Objectives of OECS
Factors that promote regional integration
 Identifying the factors that promote regional integration.

Look carefully at the cartoon and identify the factors that promote regional integration being
discussed by the students and teachers in the class.
Factors promoting regional integration:

1.__________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

2.__________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

3.__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

4.__________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

5.__________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

6.__________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________
Exploration of the factors promoting regional integration

● Common language - The language of the Caribbean people is English, and this facilitates
easy communication.

● Close Proximity - The Caribbean countries are relatively close to each other, hence, travel
by air or sea from one country to another can be done in a relatively short space of time.

● Caribbean countries share a common history - Most of the Caribbean people are
descendants of people who had been subjected to slavery and indentureship. This makes it
possible for the Caribbean people to embrace each other.

● Common Cultural Heritage - The Caribbean people share a common culture in terms of
language, dress, music, cuisine and general lifestyle. All these features make the integration
process smoother.

● Small population - The Caribbean countries are at a disadvantage when competing against
international markets because of their small size. Thus, coming together makes it easier to
influence international markets.

● The Limited human and physical resources available in the Caribbean region necessitate
the pooling and trading of these resources among Caribbean countries.

● Common economic, political and social problem - The Caribbean countries encounter
similar problems, inclusive of, but not limited to unemployment, difficulty in accessing
international markets, lack of adequate capital, poor housing and inadequate health facilities.

● The common challenges of Globalization and Trade Liberalization - Companies all over
the world are doing business in many countries, filtrating into the Caribbean region creating
unwelcomed competition. The Caribbean government can no longer restrict extra-regional
imports to protect regional manufacturers/companies, hence, Caribbean businesses are
required to amalgamate or face ruin.

● The increase in the number of trading blocs - Across the world, economic groupings and
trading blocs are being established where a large number of countries are linked by special
trading arrangements among them. For example, the European Union (E.U.) The Caribbean
is required to do the same to ensure productivity and continuity in its economic growth.

Factors Hindering Regional Integration

Caricom member states have made several attempts at integration, while some of these attempts
have been successful, others have met upon obstacles that persist to present. The following factors
have hindered the integration process of the Caribbean region:

● Absence of common model or strategy for development - Caricom member states have
pursued different strategies for political and economic development. There are some that
depend on agriculture, another on tourism, one on petroleum. The fact that the varying
 countries are placing different emphasis on different strategies suggests that a common
policy will not exist and countries will only be interested in policies that relates to the strategy
they are pursuing. Jamaica would be more interested in debating a common policy on
tourism or agriculture because they depend on those for economic development, but would
generate little or no interest in a policy on petroleum because they do not pursue such for
development.

● Differences in stages of growth and development - The fact that the Caribbean countries
pursue different strategies for development means that they will all be at different levels of
growth and development. The less developed countries are hesitant to trade with the more
developed countries because of fear that they might be at a disadvantage. Such fear has led
to the delay in the implementation of certain factors that would ensure or facilitate the
integration process.

● Competition for location of industries - The government of each Member States wants
what is best for their country; such aspiration usually leads to competition between the
countries for the location of new industries. The competition often times evolves into envy
and jealousy among member states.

● Conflict between territorial and regional demands and loyalties (Insularity) - The
Caribbean countries tend to be more interested in satisfying the immediate needs of the
residence within their countries than attending to the demands of the region. The member
states work hard to attain international attention as an individual country than working
together as a part of Caricom to attain the same.

● Absence of Common Currency - The value of the money in each Caribbean country is
different. There are some member states that do not accept the currency of others. In this
regard, Caricom residents travelling through the region have to obtain the relevant currency.
A common currency would provide for greater level of integration.

● Unequal distribution of resources - Some member states are blessed with more natural
resources than others. Those countries that are abundant in natural resources have utilized
the income gained from this wealth for their country's benefit rather than for regional benefit.

● Lack of diversification in production - It is interesting to note that most of the Caricom

member states produce similar products. Most of the member states are dependent on
agriculture; therefore, they process and manufacture products from sugar cane, bananas,
cocoa, coffee and ground provisions. This puts constraint on intra- regional trade.

● Influence of multinational corporations - Trans-national corporations have contributed to

some of the Caricom Member states running a foul to the objectives of Caricom. Those
corporations enter individual member states and bargain with individual governments to
grant special benefits such as tax free holidays, repatriation of profits, duty free on raw
materials among other things. Those benefits, most times, run contrary to the objectives of
Caricom.
 Benefit of Caricom/CSME

There are many benefits to be derived from being a member of Caricom:

● Reduction in unemployment and underemployment - The removal of the barriers to intra-

regional trade among member states of Caricom increases employment in the region as
consumers buy more regionally produced goods. Buying regionally produce goods ensure
that jobs are maintained or created because of the demand.

● Increased market size - Caricom is committed to trade within the region. Therefore,
integration provides a larger market for individual member state.

● Free movement of goods, labour and capital - All goods which meet the Caricom
standards are traded duty free throughout the region, therefore, all goods created within the
region can be traded without restrictions. There is also an agreed upon policy called The
Caribbean Community Free Movement of Persons Act enacted in all CSME member states.
Under this Act, it allows for the free movement of certain categories of skilled workers, which
will later evolve into the free movement of all persons across the CSME member states.
There is also a move to eliminate the various restrictions such as foreign exchange controls
which will allow for the free movement of capital across the CSME member states. This will
allow for the convertibility of currencies or a single currency and capital market integration.

● Better response to economic implications of globalization and trade liberalization -

The act of the larger international companies doing business across the world and in the
Caribbean has forced the Caribbean businesses to amalgamate in order to survive, thus
creating a greater sense of unity. Caribbean governments can no longer protect the regional
manufacturers by restricting extra-regional imports, as such; the Caribbean people have
been encouraged to support regional manufacturers. Regional manufacturers have improved
their products and services, and this has made it possible for them to compete with
producers in developed countries.

● Improved levels of international competitiveness - Caricom has a stronger, more

persuasive voice on international matters than as individual countries. The size of a country
dictates to its power, and the integrated approach of the Caribbean countries has lent to
greater influence on the international scene. Individual member states are too small to
withstand economic competition from more developed countries and trading blocs. A united
voice among member states has resulted in better prices for extra-regional exports and
cheaper prices for imports to the region from other international sources.

● Increased co-operation among member states -The Integration process among member
states of Caricom has allowed for greater co-operation and utilization of the services offered
by the different institutions of the organization.

● Improvement in the quality of life - The increased job opportunities accrued through the
cooperative effort of the Caribbean states have led to job creation and economic
development and a consequent increase in the quality of life for the Caribbean people
Regional integration requires the full cooperation and support of citizens. The lack thereof will stifle
the overall integration process which begins with the man in the street.
As a concerned citizen of the Caribbean community, it is ones role to foster the continued
development of local and regional businesses by investing time and capital. Such facilitates the
development of the region.

An external factor in the integration process is the challenges of trade liberalization. This has allowed
for the flood gate to be opened for extra-regional imports to the Caribbean, in this regard, the
Caribbean people must therefore and is required to support regional producers in order to ensure
their survival and the economic development of the region.

Every man, woman, boy or girl has a unique role to play in the integration process. It is in this regard
that being informed on the importance of cooperation within the region becomes paramount. There
are previous organizations, inclusive of, but not limited to the West Indian Federation, that failed
because the masses were not educated on the importance of the federation. Therefore, an informed
citizen will see to the achievement of regional integration.

Role of Business Organizations in the Integration Process

The business organizations of the Caribbean can be described as the engines for expansion and
growth in the region. The business operators are found in all of the major sectors inclusive of
agricultural, manufacturing, industrial and services. One can therefore assume that the business
organizations are major contributors to our economy. Private businesses account for at least fifty
percent (50%) of employment which highlights the significant role that they have to play in the
advancement of the region.

However, the varying limitations and challenges faced by business organizations include low levels
of productivity and quality, difficulty in accessing credit and capital markets, insufficient resources for
research and development and inadequate infrastructure has facilitated the integration of business
organizations across the region. Globalization and trade liberalization have further necessitated the
development of networking and the formation of strategic alliances among the Caribbean businesses
to become competitive on the international scene.

In 2005, the Caribbean Association of Small and Medium Enterprises was established with the
objective of facilitating joint ventures between businesses in the Caribbean through trade and market
penetration. This integrated approach would make the small businesses more competitive and
sustainable in the developing global environment.

The Role of Government in the Integration Process

● Educating the citizens about the objectives and benefits of integration - one major
problem that existed in Caricom was the poor dissemination of information to the people in
the region. There existed a gulf between articulators of Caricom and the people of Caricom -
the man in the streets. The average citizen knows little about the objectives and benefit of
Caricom, it is therefore the role of the government to embark upon public education and
facilitate the advancement of the integration process by educating the citizens on the
objectives and benefits of regional integration. The mass media, schools, town council
meetings, forums can be used as vehicles to champion this cause which is critical to the
development of the region.

● Enacting, enabling legislation - Any matter decided on by Caricom cannot be enacted

within member states unless the government for individual member states agree to such.
The integration process can be stifled or advanced by the action of individual government of
member states. A government may delay the progress of the organization (Caricom) by
simply refusing to agree to draft legislation or proposal which it thinks may put the country at
a disadvantage. The result: a delay in the integration process because territorial interest
supersedes regional objectives of Caricom. One can therefore conclude that critical to the
integration process is the participation of governments to enact or enable legislations that
foster regionalism.

● Harmonizing policies - The current aim of Caricom is to develop policies that encourage
regional integration and transformation to the CSME. On the agenda to support the
integration process is the full introduction of a harmonization framework that promotes the
co-ordination of foreign policies among member states. The lack thereof sometimes leads to
the harmful effects of competition, and that has been the main stimuli for wanting to
harmonize taxes. It is therefore resting on the governments to accommodate the
harmonization of common policies across the member states that enhance the objectives of
Caricom and support the efforts of the integration process, which invariably benefits all.

Areas of Regional Integration

Areas of

regional cooperation
AGRICULTURE

Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute

(CARDI)
The Caribbean community presses forward towards regional food security. CARDI is one such
organization that supports this drive and in an effort to ensure the attainment of regional food
security, they have pursued the following objectives:

1. to provide for the research and development needs of the agriculture of the Region:

2. to provide an appropriate research and development service to the agricultural sector of Member
States:

3. to provide and extend the application of new technologies in production, processing, storage and
distribution of agricultural products of Member States:

4. to pursue for specified periods long-term research in pertinent areas:

5. to provide for the co-ordination and integration of the research and development efforts of
Member States where this is possible and desirable.

Health Agencies Part II

CARIBBEAN EPIDEMIOLOGY CENTRE (CAREC)

VISION

CAREC, A public health information, service and consulting organization, dedicated to being the
best at providing information that people need to improve health and prevent disease in the
Caribbean

MISSION STATEMENT

To improve the health status of Caribbean people by advancing the capability of member countries
in epidemiology, laboratory technology and related public health disciplines through technical
cooperation, service, training, research and a well trained motivated staff.

CAREC

CAREC is administered on behalf of 21 Member countries by the Pan American Health Organization
(PAHO), the World Health Organization's Regional Office for the Americas. CAREC enjoys an
international reputation for its work in support of Public Health in the Caribbean. Under a Multilateral
Agreement, CAREC provides laboratory reference and epidemiology services to 21 Member
countries. The institution is headquartered in Port of Spain, Trinidad, where there is a well equipped
laboratory and qualified staff that carries out continuous research on diseases and disseminates the
information to member states, thus safeguarding the health of Caribbean people.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE

Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency (CDERA)

This agency was established in 1991(with head quarters in Barbados) and given the mandate to
coordinate regional disaster management activities. There are currently sixteen members referred to
as Participatory States. The agency is governed by a Council comprising the Heads of Government
of Participating States and is headed by a Co-ordinator.

What is CDEMA?

CDEMA is the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency. This is the new name of the
regional disaster management body formerly known as CDDERA (the Caribbean Disaster
Emergency Response Agency)

September 1, 2009 was the official date of transition to CDEMA. CDEMA has replaced and
advanced the work of CDERA by embracing the principles and practice of Comprehensive Disaster
Management (CDM) which is an integrated and proactive approach to disaster management .CDM
seeks to reduce the risk and loss associated with natural and technological hazards and the effects
of climate change to enhance regional sustainable development

The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) seeks to carry out the following
functions in all participating States:

● Mobilizing and coordinating disaster relief;

● Mitigating or eliminating , as far as practicable, the immediate consequences of disaster in

Participating States;

● Providing immediate and coordinated response by means of emergency disaster relief to any
affected Participating State;

● Securing, coordinating and providing to interested inter-governmental and non-governmental

organizations reliable and comprehensive information on disasters affecting Participating
States;

● Encouraging-

i The adoption of disaster loss reduction and mitigation policies and practices at the national
and regional
level;
 ii Cooperative arrangements and mechanisms to facilitate the development of a culture of
disaster loss
reduction; and

● Coordinating the establishment, enhancement and maintenance of adequate emergency

disaster response capabilities among Participating States.

Sport Agencies

Media Agencies
The Caribbean Media Corporation, formed in August 2000 as a result of a merger between the
Caribbean News Agency (CANA) and the Caribbean Broadcasting Union's commercial operations, is
the leading multimedia organization in the region. It is dedicated to the excellence in communication
services, which include radio, television, print, satellite uplink distribution and news media across the
Caribbean, the United States of America and around the world.

Mission:

To work with media houses in the region to highlight the best skills in journalism, broadcasting,
publishing and technical services.

Way Forward

The CMC strives to make inroads within the media industry by forging closer links between the
Caribbean and the rest of the world. They continue to expand its outreach through satellite delivered
media services for radio and television, while setting the standard for quality and reliability within the
Caribbean's media industry.

Education Agencies
University of the West Indies

The University of the West Indies was established in 1948 with three campuses: St. Augustine in
Trinidad, Mona in Jamaica and Cave Hill in Barbados. This institution developed a curriculum in the
various faculties that were relevant to the needs of the people in the Caribbean. Before then,
Caricom members had to go abroad for higher education. Since then, the information and
knowledge gained from UWI has assisted greatly in the social-well being and higher standard of life
among Caribbean people.

Aim of the University

To help unlock the potential for economic and cultural growth in the West Indies, thus allowing for
improved regional autonomy.

CARIBBEAN EXAMINATION COUNCIL

The Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) was established in 1972 under Agreement by the
Participating Governments in the region to conduct such examinations as it may think appropriate
and award certificates and diplomas on the results. Previously, the examination body (General
Certificate of Education) was based in England and the subject matter was more relevant to Europe
than the region. C.X.C. replaced the General Certificate of Education (GCE) examinations used by
England. C.X.C. is an institution of CARIBBEAN PEOPLE by Caribbean people.

Justice Agencies
CARIBBEAN COURT OF JUSTICE (CCJ)

This is the highest court of appeal for CARICOM Member States. This court operates on the
following mission and vision:

MISSION

The Caribbean Court of Justice shall perform the highest standards as the supreme judicial organ in
the Caribbean Community. In its original jurisdiction it ensures uniform interpretation and application
of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, thereby underpinning and advancing the CARICOM Single
Market and Economy. As the final court of appeal for member states of the Caribbean Community it
fosters the development of an indigenous Caribbean jurisprudence.

VISION:

To provide for the Caribbean Community an accessible, fair, efficient, innovative and impartial justice
system built on jurisprudence reflective of our history, values, and traditions while maintaining an
inspirational, independent institution worthy of emulation by the courts of the region and the trust and
confidence of its people.

Health Agencies
HEALTH

The Caribbean Environmental and Health Institute (CEHI) was formally established in 1988 for the
purpose of ensuring that the Caribbean citizenry, both present and future will be able to experience a
long and healthy life. The institute is headquartered in Castries, St.Lucia and has a membership of
sixteen Caribbean countries. The CEHI serves as the technical arm of Caricom that provides
technical and advisory services to the sixteen member states in areas of environmental
management and environmental health.

● To provide technical and advisory services to Member States in all areas of environmental
management including Environmental Quality Monitoring, Environmental Impact Assesment,
Environmental Health Information, Water Resources Management, Laboratory Services and
Project Development and Management.

● To act as :

i. a regional reference centre for the collection and dissemination of technical and scientific
information;

ii. a focal point for various environmental data, especially health-related , in theCaribbean
region.

● To promote and coordinate applied research relevant to the environmental problems of the
Caribbean region as identified by its Member States

● To prepare and keep inventories of:

i . education and training programmes especially those in related disciplines

ii. regional experts and other manpower resources

● To conduct courses, seminars, symposium and other workshops

● To arrange and accept grants for financial scholarships and fellowships to facilitate the
training of nationals of Member States.

● To stimulate the provision of engineering, public health laboratory and other related
environmental services for Member States in accordance with their desires.

● To promote uniformity in professional practice, design and technical methods in programmes

formulated for the improvement of Environmental Health and environmental management.