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OECS Heads of Government decided at the 34th meeting of the Authority held
in Dominica in July 2001 to deepen economic integration by creating an economic
union.
| The 35th meeting of the Authority held in Anguilla at the
end of January 2002 endorsed the main elements of an economic union implementation
project prepared by the Secretariat and for which financing has been secured
from the government of Libya amounting to US$1 million, following a visit
to that country by a number of OECS Heads of Government in August 2001. |
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The project is expected to be implemented over a period of 2 years. Seven
of the nine member states of the OECS i.e. Antigua and Barbuda , Dominica ,
Grenada , Montserrat, St.Kitts and Nevis, St.Lucia and St. Vincent and the
Grenadines are participating in the economic union initiative. Anguilla and
the British Virgin Islands the two remaining member states have requested time
for further consideration.
The rationale for the establishment of an economic union is anchored in an
acceptance of the fact that the development challenges the micro- states of
the OECS face as a result of globalisation and trade liberalization can only
be effectively addressed through the creation of a single economic space which
facilitates the free movement of people, goods, services and capital and as
a result economic diversification and growth , greater export competitiveness
and more employment and human resource development. OECS governments and people
have become more and more aware of this reality after 21 years of regional
integration. ( June 18th 2002 marks the 21st anniversary of the founding of
the OECS).
With respect to freedom of movement it was agreed at the 35th meeting that
the 6 independent member states along with Monsterrat would enact the requisite
legislation on 12th March 2002 and that citizens of the participating countries
,except prohibited immigrants, shall be allowed to enter and remain in these
countries for a period of 6 months. Matters relating to exemption for citizens
from work permits and Aliens Landholding Licences are still to be addressed
although Dominica, Grenada, St.Lucia and St.Vincent and the Grenadines agreed
to enact legislation for waiver of these licences on a reciprocal basis.
Acceptable travel documents it has been agreed for use by OECS nationals are
valid Drivers Licences , Social Security Cards, and Voters Registration Cards
with photographs and which are valid at the time of entry. A simplified immigration
form will be adopted to facilitate travel under the initiative.
A common OECS passport will be adopted on 1st January 2003 but will not be
issued to Economic Citizens within the OECS.
So far (11th April 2002) 4 member states have amended their Immigration Acts
for facilitation of travel i.e. Grenada,St.Kitts and Nevis,St.Lucia and St.Vincent
and the Grenadines. The remaining three will do so in the near future.
A public awareness and education programme is to be launched throughout the
OECS region using the services of a public relations firm or firms to raise
awareness and understanding among all sectors of the OECS population of the
various measures to be implemented and respond to specific concerns. High visibility
for the integration process is a key objective.
A number of technical studies will also be executed in connection with the
economic union initiative to inform policy formulation and the designing of
appropriate implementation strategies.
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