St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Denzil L. Douglas says although there are real concerns which must be respected, he was confident that free movement of OECS nationals will work to the benefit of all participating member countries.

AT A GLANCE...What is OECS Economic Union?

He said the history of the West Indies has demonstrated quite clearly that moves to integrate the region have often faced with many hurdles for various reasons and “theoretically, we can agree to the good sense that it makes, but in practice however, emotions of insularity do emerge.”

The St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister told members of the St. Kitts and Nevis Hotel and Tourism Association (HTA) at a luncheon to mark their 30th Anniversary, that political leaders of the region are very cognisant of the importance of steering a course towards closer integration in order to obtain greater political flexibility on the world scene, while at the same time improving the economies of scale for business activity in the region, hence, the pursuit of the Single Market and Economy in the OECS and in CARICOM in the larger context.

Dr. Douglas said it must be clearly understood that the free movement of people and capital are indispensable components towards regional integration, a process that greatly assist in the further growth and development of the Caribbean region. “What OECS Heads of Government are pursuing is an avenue that would bring political, social and economic benefits for all the people of the sub region and of the region on a whole,” said Prime Minister Douglas.

He said the moves to create a single economic space within the region must of necessity be achieved in order for the region to survive in the globalised economic environment, which as we know is becoming increasingly hostile. “Integration, and all that it would entail, is something that we must embrace as an inevitable long-term survival strategy. It is not surprising, therefore, that the OECS has taken firm initiatives such as the establishment of the Eastern Caribbean Securities Exchange, which promises and is expected to enhance business activity in the sub-region in the years to come,” said Prime Minister Douglas.

He said free movement of people must be viewed in the same light, that is, “as a tool of development once taken in appropriate stages and managed properly,” suggesting, that as hoteliers they stand to benefit enormously, as do the people in the other islands. “The movement of skilled people around the sub-region will redound no doubt to your benefit as hoteliers.”

Dr. Douglas noted that while each Government would continue to seek ways of protecting their citizens, “we still must look beyond the confines of our national boundaries so that business within the sub-region and region can strive, so that additional job opportunities can emerge, so that our people can improve their standard of living, and enable Government to continue enhancing development prospects.”

Stressing that fragmentation of the region is highly undesirable, Prime Minister Douglas said such a situation would keep the OECS nations “unprepared to face globalization in an effective manner, and we would fail as individual entities - because we are too small - to maximize opportunities that exist within a globalised environment.” “We will certainly become more vulnerable, and other powerful players, not necessarily countries, even corporations - powerful corporations, with little interest in the well-being of the region, will make their moves on their own terms,” he warned, adding: “To fail in the integration process, therefore, will be quite detrimental to all of us.”

Prime Minister Douglas is of the view that the OECS nations “must continue along the path of increased cooperative endeavours on a regional basis. That is the culture that must be nurtured throughout the coming years. There really is no need for undue apprehension over the free movement of OECS nationals. The time is now, and some will say, it is ‘long overdue’.”