Guyana's Regional Commitment
Editorial
Guyana Chronicle
January 4, 2004
GUYANA'S commitment to regional economic integration and functional cooperation, as characterised by its partnership role in the Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM), was further demonstrated in 2003.
While public perception may vary over decisions taken in private at CARICOM summit meetings and conferences, the best known public examples during the past year of how the government of this country has been moving to strengthen bonds with the rest of the family of Community states, would be at two very significant levels.
First, in the construction of the modern, multi-million headquarter complex for the CARICOM Secretariat that is progressively taking shape at Pattensen as a gift to the Community by Guyana, which has been the home of the Secretariat from the inception of the now 15-member regional economic integration movement.
The new CARICOM Secretariat headquarter is a major joint effort by Guyana and the government of Japan. Now that the government has given its approval of the design of the Convention Centre to be constructed by the People's Republic of China, the entire complex, estimated at approximately US$13 million, would represent a shining example of cooperation between Guyana, Japan and China in a project that will be to the benefit of the entire region.
Also during 2003, through the initiative of the New Guyana Pharmaceutical Corporation, this country was placed in the admirable position to offer to its CARICOM partners the cocktail of anti-retroviral drugs, under patent from a company in India, at the very affordable cost of some US$200:
Free movement
When they met for their two-day special summit in St. Lucia in November, CARICOM leaders were loud in their praise for the Guyana initiative and welcomed the information and assurances of cooperation that came from President Bharrat Jagdeo.
Guyana was also commended for its disclosure at that meeting of legislation having been approved to facilitate the acceptance by immigration authorities of photo-IDs other than passports for intra-regional travels by CARICOM nationals.
This move by the Guyana Government was, of course, consistent with the country's liberal immigration policy as it relates to encouraging free movement of CARICOM nationals.
The policy predated the phased implementation by other member states for specific categories of skilled nationals to live and work without work permit requirements.
The hope, of course, is that this policy will not be abused and, as a result, create unnecessary problems for law abiding nationals of the Community who are always welcomed to Guyana.
Facilitating hassle-free intra-regional travel and, ultimately, free movement of all nationals of CARICOM, is a major objective of our Caribbean Community which last year marked its 30th anniversary.
We hope that during 2004, all the member states of the Community will also see the need to relax immigration rules to facilitate CARICOM nationals - other than those who may be on a shared "security list" - to travel with just photo-IDs and not required to produce passports.
We take this opportunity to express our best wishes for CARICOM's further progress in 2004.