News
December 18, 2009

CARICOM project underway

The CARICOM Secretariat is moving ahead with its plans for the smooth harmonization and standardization of administrative practices and procedures.{{more}}

To this end, the CARICOM Trade and Competitiveness Project (CTCP) was launched here on Thursday, December 10.

The implementation of the project allows for the easy participation of CARICOM nationals in the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) by bringing together various stakeholders.

St Vincent has now joined the growing list of territories to have launched the project.

Wanya Illes of the CTCP Project CARICOM Secretariat told SEARCHLIGHT that the launch of the project was the start of the consultancy, which not only involved conducting a diagnostic and analytical review of member states’ administrative systems, but also the presentation of recommendations to make the system more transparent.

“The focus is to look at regulations, practices and procedures,” Illes said.

“Once there is a listing of what needs to be done, the recommendations will be made in the next phase.”

In addition, it is expected that technical action plans for reform of the member states’ administrative systems, practices and procedures will be formulated.

The project, Component 100, is one of three mechanisms of the CTCP and includes the harmonization and standardization of administrative practices and procedures.

In addition to the Component 100, there are two other substantive components of the CTCP project.

Component 200 looks at enhancing the effective functioning of the services and labour markets and Component 300 deals with widening the scope of participation by stakeholders and beneficiaries in the
decision making, implementation and operation of the Single Market.

Work has already commenced on all components and there is expected to be regional discussion after the submission of the consultants’ reports. (DD)