| ADVANCING THE CARICOM SINGLE MARKET AND ECONOMY TRADE WINS is designed with Caribbean business in mind. The series is intended to bring issues of trade policy to the private sector and other interested parties. 3 Disadvantaged Countries, Sectors and Regions in Caricom 6 Legal Regime of Free Trade in Services CARICOM Member States are actively involved in the move towards liberalisation of trade in goods and services. At the regional level, CARICOM Heads of Government have taken measures to establish a CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME). Once implemented, the CSME will facilitate economic integration and the movement of goods, services and capital throughout the Caribbean Community without tariffs or other restrictions. Less comprehensive agreements with Cuba, the Dominican Republic and Venezuela are already in effect. At the hemispheric level, CARICOM is part of the negotiating process for the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA). Internationally, CARICOM Member States are party to the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) of the World Trade Organization (WTO). Caribbean Export has commissioned two reports to examine any disadvantages which might arise for the region’s Less Developed Countries (LDCs) in an economic union such as the CSME and to investigate CARICOM’s readiness to participate in the liberalisation process in the services sector. The first report identified possible negative effects of economic integration on disadvantaged countries, sectors and regions and steps which CARICOM might take to minimise those effects. The second identified legal, policy and administrative restrictions to free trade in services within CARICOM and made recommendations for strengthening the region’s negotiating capacity in the sector. Since the commissioning of these reports, several key questions have been dealt with in detail in the Protocols amending the Treaty of Chaguaramas (establishing the legal framework for the CSME). However, in this issue of TRADE WINS , we present edited versions of both reports in the hope that readers will develop an understanding of some of the concerns which need to be addressed in preparing the region for full integration and liberalisation. Critical Issues For Business In This Issue { It is hoped that members of the private sector will develop an understanding of the ways in which legal policy and administrative decisions affect the operation of trade in services. Vol.1: No.6. 2001
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ADVANCING THE CARICOMSINGLE MARKET AND ECONOMY
TRADEWINS is designed with Caribbeanbusiness in mind. The series is intended tobring issues of trade policy to the private sectorand other interested parties.
3 Disadvantaged Countries,Sectors and Regions in Caricom
6 Legal Regime of Free Tradein Services
CARICOM Member States are activelyinvolved in the move towards liberalisation oftrade in goods and services. At the regionallevel, CARICOM Heads of Government havetaken measures to establish a CARICOMSingle Market and Economy (CSME). Onceimplemented, the CSME will facilitateeconomic integration and the movement ofgoods, services and capital throughout theCaribbean Community without tariffs or otherrestrictions. Less comprehensive agreementswith Cuba, the Dominican Republic andVenezuela are already in effect.
At the hemispheric level, CARICOM is part ofthe negotiating process for the Free TradeArea of the Americas (FTAA). Internationally,CARICOM Member States are party to theGeneral Agreement on Trade in Services(GATS) of the World Trade Organization(WTO).
Caribbean Export has commissioned tworeports to examine any disadvantages whichmight arise for the region’s Less DevelopedCountries (LDCs) in an economic union suchas the CSME and to investigate CARICOM’sreadiness to participate in the liberalisation
process in the services sector. The first reportidentified possible negative effects of economicintegration on disadvantaged countries,sectors and regions and steps whichCARICOM might take to minimise thoseeffects. The second identified legal, policy andadministrative restrictions to free trade inservices within CARICOM and maderecommendations for strengthening theregion’s negotiating capacity in the sector.
Since the commissioning of these reports,several key questions have been dealt with indetail in the Protocols amending the Treaty ofChaguaramas (establishing the legalframework for the CSME). However, in thisissue of TRADEWINS , we present editedversions of both reports in the hope thatreaders will develop an understanding of someof the concerns which need to be addressed inpreparing the region for full integration andliberalisation.
Critical Issues For Business
In This Issue
{It is hoped thatmembers of theprivate sectorwill develop anunderstandingof the ways inwhich legalpolicy andadministrativedecisions affectthe operationof trade inservices.
Regional groupings of countries for trade andeconomic purposes are part of a worldwidetrend in the development of unions for marketaccess, production and distribution. Suchunions are also able to negotiate morefavourable terms of trade and to plan collec-tively for changes in the economicenvironment. In addition, preferential treatmentin trade is becoming a thing of the past andCARICOM countries which may have benefitedfrom such arrangements are likely to findthemselves facing more open competition. Forthese reasons, CARICOM must seriouslyconsider implementation of the Single Marketand Economy (CSME) as soon as possible.
What are the Issues?
Due to variations in geographical size, marketsize, human resources, production capacityand infrastructure, the CSME is likely to affectindividual CARICOM territories quite differently.There are 3 principal types of disadvantageswhich may arise once the CSME is establishedand it is likely that the countries most affectedwill be those which have already beendesignated Less Developed Countries (LDCs)by CARICOM - Antigua & Barbuda, Belize,Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, St. Kitts &Nevis, Saint Lucia and St. Vincent & theGrenadines. The 3 main types ofdisadvantages expected are:
• Disadvantage arising directly from theestablishment of the CSME.
• Prior disadvantage (e.g. size, infrastructure)which would influence the distribution ofgains from market and economic integration.
Disadvantaged Countries, Sectors andRegions in CARICOM
4 Support Structures
4 Special Measures
5 Safeguard Measures
In This Section
Differences
Disadvantages
• Potential disadvantage which may arise fromthe vulnerability of the economies of specificcountries.
CARICOM will need to develop and implementmeasures to increase the competitiveness ofthe countries of the region - and of the LDCs inparticular - while decreasing the protectivemeasures already in place.
Fact-o-file
The report suggested that the currentgroupings of MDC and LDC countries bemaintained with some LDC provisions allowedfor Guyana. Disadvantaged countries, withinthe report, are the LDCs outlined byCARICOM. The notion of disadvantagedregions was not considered in the reportbecause the geographical size of the countriesinvolved and the complexity of developingpolicies for regions within the CSME seemedimpractical. Disadvantaged sectors are thosewhich are unable to compete successfully forany of the reasons outlined above.
Under Protocol VII, disadvantaged countriesare identified as the LDCs and Member Statesrequiring temporary or transitory supportbecause of natural disasters, the adverseeffect of the CSME, temporary low levels ofeconomic development or high debt.Disadvantaged regions are regions withinMember States which experience dislocationbecause of the CSME or which requiretemporary or transitory support. Disadvantagedsectors of economies within Member Statesfollow the same criteria as disadvantagedregions, with the added consideration of socialor economic disorder as a result of lossesthrough natural disaster. (Following theguidelines of Protocol VII, Heads ofGovernment in July 2000 designated the LDCsand Guyana - identified by the internationalcommunity as a Highly Indebted Poor Country- as disadvantaged countries.).
Special Measures The report suggested that several specialmeasures within the Special Regime forincreasing investment, production and exportcapacity in the LDCs should be maintained. Itsuggested that LDCs should continue toreceive exemptions from the Rules of Originrequirement (which exemption would allowgoods from the LDCs to enter CARICOMmarkets duty-free under less stringent rulesconcerning the origin of the components of thegoods).
It also suggested that the framework providedin Protocol II on Establishment, Services andCapital should address the concerns ofdisadvantaged countries by allowing them toimplement liberalisation in the following ways:
• For service sectors in which they believethemselves to be competitive
• For services in which they do not have anycurrent interest
• For services in which they could not becompetitive in the long-run
In these areas, trade would be liberalisedimmediately. The report recommended that areasonable phase-out period (of restrictions toliberalisation) should be negotiated for otherservices.
The report also recommended that protectionfor the industrial development of LDCs bephased out and the system of licencesreplaced with a system of temporary tariffsbound by the countries’ commitments underthe World Trade Organization (WTO).
It further recommended research into thenature of franchising arrangements in theaerated beverages, beer and malt industries,and the impact of these arrangements oncompetitiveness with special provisions forthose industries if necessary.
What the ProtocolsProvide
Under Protocol VII, the Council for Financeand Planning (COFAP) is made responsible forpromoting investment in disadvantagedcountries through various means including jointventures, transfer of technology and capital
How Might we AddressThese Issues?
The original report proposed a regime ofmeasures to ameliorate the negative effects ofthe implementation of the CSME ondisadvantaged countries, regions and sectors.It based its measures on a review of theSpecial Regime for the Less DevelopedCountries in the Treaty of Chaguaramas.
While CARICOM’s Protocol VII revises theSpecial Regime, it also broadens the definitionof “disadvantage” under the CSME.Consideration for the LDCs is also evidentacross all of the CARICOM Protocols. Beloware some of the key recommendations of theoriginal report and an indication of some of therelevant provisions made by the Protocols.
SupportStructuresVarious support structures will need to be putin place in order to assist the disadvantagedcountries in increasing their competitiveness.The report proposed that technical assistanceand research and development expertiseshould be shared among tertiary institutions inthe region and that a CompetitivenessEnhancement Fund should be developed toprovide matching grants for firms.
It also suggested that the provision in theSpecial Regime for financial assistance fromMDCs to LDCs should be retained.
What the ProtocolsProvide
Protocol VII provides for the establishment of aDevelopment Fund for technical and financialassistance to disadvantaged countries, regionsand sectors. Assistance may be granted inseveral areas including policy development,negotiations, product design, marketdevelopment and training.
The Protocols, in general, also encourage thesharing of research expertise amonginstitutions of the region - and in particular,expertise from the MDCs to the LDCs.
Regions and SectorsProtocol VIII: Competition Policy, Consumer
Protection, Dumping andSubsidies
Protocol IX: Disputes Settlement
Conclusions
Creation of the CSME is vital to the furtherdevelopment of CARICOM. The newarrangements under the Protocols whichamend the Treaty of Chaguaramas provide forcareful consideration of the needs of countries,regions and sectors which might bedisadvantaged within the economic union.
However, unlike previous arrangements, theProtocols also provide for sustained assistanceto help make these economies, regions andsectors more competitive and more econom-ically viable. Members of the business sectorshould therefore pay close attention to thedevelopment of the CSME in order to ensurefull participation in this move towards furtherregional integration.
Useful References
Boxill, Ian & Wendell Samuel. (1999).Disadvantaged Countries, Sectors andRegions in the Caribbean Community.(Prepared for the Caribbean DevelopmentExport Agency.)
Caribbean Export Development Agency(2000). Protocols Amending the Treaty ofChaguaramas.
flows from other CARICOM countries. Specialconsideration in meeting the Rules of Originrequirement may also be granted to LDCs.
The Council for Trade and EconomicDevelopment (COTED) will develop a list ofservices which will be exempt from liberali-sation (by disadvantaged countries) for alimited period. (These restrictions can onlyapply if they are no greater than restrictionsapplied by the disadvantaged countries tostates outside of CARICOM.) COTED will alsodevelop a strategy for removing traderestrictions on services which are not includedin that list.
SafeguardMeasuresThe report recommended the development andenforcement of an effective competition policyto deal with unfair trading practices withinCARICOM. It also suggested that all countriesshould have access to safeguard mechanismsto protect against import surges but itsuggested that safeguard measures should notbe applied to disadvantaged countries.
The report recommended that disadvantagedcountries should be allowed to keep safeguardmeasures in place for a longer period thanthose countries which are not disadvantaged.
What the ProtocolsProvide
Protocol VIII specifically establishes a compre-hensive competition policy for all CARICOMMember States and Protocol IX provides adisputes settlement mechanism for anyconflicts which arise in the implementation ofthe CSME.
Under Protocol VII, disadvantaged countrieswill be allowed to limit imports from otherCARICOM countries if the imports are causinga decrease in local demand for a local product(seriously affecting a particular industry orsector of an industry). Under special circum-stances, safeguard measures can also beimplemented against disadvantaged countries.
CARICOM countries have recently begun aseries of negotiations on trade in services,which should bring the region closer to thestandard of liberalisation which is developingworldwide. CARICOM’s Protocol II Amendingthe Treaty of Chaguaramas deals specificallywith establishment, services and capital.
The CARICOM-Dominican Republic FreeTrade Agreement makes free trade in servicesa CARIFORUM issue. It is clear, however, thatthe region will need to pay particular attentionto the supporting structures which will facilitatethe development and liberalisation of trade inthe sector - laws, policies and administrativeframeworks.
Since the region has traditionally placed itstrade emphasis on areas such as manufac-turing and agriculture - trade in goods asopposed to trade in services - governments willneed to revisit their structures to ensure thatthe necessary frameworks are in place to allowfull development of the sector. Specialattention must be paid to national and regionalframeworks so that the region may approachhemispheric and international negotiations witha greater degree of confidence.
What are the Issues?
Current trends in international tradeagreements are towards liberalisation of tradein services. As part of the international tradingcommunity, CARICOM must demonstrate itscommitment to removing barriers to free tradein the sector. In order to do this, however,certain key structures must be put in place.
There are 3 major areas in which the region isnot yet fully prepared for liberalisation:
• Private sector development• Government procedures• Regional integration of trade in services
Preparation for participation as an active andcompetitive trading partner in services willrequire reform and development in each ofthese areas.
Private SectorDevelopmentGiven the traditional emphasis on trade ingoods within the region, governments havepaid little attention to providing incentives forthe development of the services sector.Institutional and policy support to the privatesector is inadequate and the private sectoritself is not fully organised around trade inservices.
Market research in the area of services isinsufficient. Key questions not fully addressedinclude: supply and demand issues; exportpotential; and private sector capacity. Tradeinformation and exposure to foreign marketshave not been readily available. Private sectororganisations geared towards production -particularly for export - have focussed onmanufacturing and agricultural products.
A well-informed and organised private sectorwill need to consolidate a base in the provisionof services at the domestic and regional levelsand respond to changes in the market as wellas changes in the international negotiatingarena.
GovernmentProceduresDevelopment of the services sector at thenational level will require support anddevelopment of the private sector and clearlyestablished, efficient administrative systems.The legal framework which governs theprovision of services and support for the
Chaguaramas, CARICOM governments intendto liberalise trade in services within the regionand to give preferential treatment to CARICOMservices and service providers. Under GATS,however, CARICOM will not be able to enforcethis arrangement unless it can demonstratethat there is an integrated regional economicsystem in place. This is the regional systemexemption which is allowed under GATS - andwhich is particularly designed for developingcountries.
According to the report, Protocol II and thenational legislative and administrativeframeworks within CARICOM do not appear tomeet the GATS requirements for thisexemption. GATS requires that regionalarrangements must involve “full sectorcoverage” - in other words, free trade withinthe region must be applied to all subsectors ofservices where possible.
Procedures facilitating trade in services mustbe transparent and territories within thearrangement should be moving towardsnational treatment where there is nomeaningful distinction made between theservices of one territory and those of another.(In other words, there should eventually be notrade-related discrimination among CARICOMnationals or their services).
How Might we Addressthese Issues?
The private and public sectors will need towork hand in hand in order to address theseissues. At the national level, governmentsmust ensure that their policies and legislativeframeworks support the development ofservices and meet the requirements of Protocol II and GATS.
Private sectors will need to organisethemselves to provide efficient and marketableservices and to lobby their governments for thechanges which will be necessary to supporttheir trade. At the regional level, CARICOMgovernments will be required to pursueregional integration without delay, to provideProtocol II with more substantive obligationsand to systematically develop a strongnegotiating position on services.
provision of services (such as the ability topurchase property to establish a business in aCARICOM country) can significantly affectinvestment in the sector.
At present, the systems which might facilitateinvestment in the sector are not firmly in place.There are several issues relating to adminis-trative procedures, policy and legislation - suchas aliens landholding, foreign companiesregistration, taxation and immigration - whichdo not fully encourage development of thesector.
Ministerial discretion in the granting of licencesand permits provides an unpredictablebusiness climate. Delays in standardprocedures also create uncertainty. Nationalgovernments often discriminate between localand foreign service providers (sometimes infavour of one group, at other times in favour ofthe other). This process hinders the freemovement of CARICOM nationals and theirright to establish businesses within the region.
In addition, protectionist policies and strictregulatory measures in some CARICOMterritories seem to go hand in hand withresistance to the legal and administrativereform necessary for trade liberalisation. (Incountries where international lending agencieshave imposed economic adjustment measures,the move towards liberalisation appears to besomewhat smoother.)
RegionalIntegration ofTrade in ServicesThe General Agreement on Trade in Services(GATS) is the framework which will governinternational trade in the sector. One of theprincipal obligations operating under GATS isthe granting of Most Favoured Nation (MFN)treatment to all countries which are party to theagreement. This means that CARICOMcountries will be obligated to grant equalaccess to services and service providers fromwithin CARICOM and from outside of theregion.
Through Protocol II (Establishment, Servicesand Capital) which amends the Treaty of
Capacity-Buildingin the PrivateSectorIn order to facilitate development of aCARICOM services industry, nationalgovernments will need to take a long-term viewof development in the sector and ensure thatthe issue is addressed at the level of humanresources, market research, fiscal incentives,institution building and advocacy.
The provision of efficient, reliable andcompetitive services will require training,resources and a vibrant private sector which isable to respond successfully to changes in thelocal, regional and international markets.
Recommendations
Regional institutions and governments shouldfacilitate greater exchange of information onprivatisations, competitive bidding for publicand private sector projects, the availability ofand market for consultancy services andprivate sector investment initiatives as well asa directory of regional service providers.
Regional governments should incorporateregional trade promotions in services as part ofthe work programme and structure of theirindustrial development and investmentpromotion agencies.
National human resource development policiesshould emphasise on-going professionaltraining programmes in order to widen the poolof service providers and enhance thecapabilities and knowledge of existing serviceproviders.
Governments should assist national andregional private sector organisations indesigning and adopting advocacy programmeswhich can sensitise service providers and othertarget groups to the key issues of free trade inservices under Protocol II and otheragreements within the region and beyond.
Fiscal incentives and/or targetted businessdevelopment programmes should be designedto assist service providers in increasing theirregional networking and establish regionalpartnerships, regional firms, franchises and
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strategic alliances. (This should serve toincrease their access to the regional market.)
Governments, regional institutions and profes-sional associations should undertakeprogrammes to improve the quality of serviceand the profile of service providers.
Governments should target resources to assistregional service providers to undertake marketresearch and labour market studies todetermine which services are required or arelikely to be required in the future and whereprofessional training and investment promotionshould be focussed.
Administrativeand LegislativeReformIn order to provide a climate which isconducive to local, regional and extra-regionalinvestment in services, CARICOM MemberStates will need to pay particular attention tothe procedures which govern the running of thesector. GATS will require a higher level oftransparency than currently exists and greaterharmonisation of procedures. Reforms in thisarea will also serve to increase the confidenceof local and foreign private sectors.
Recommendations
In territories where the aliens landholdingregimes do not meet the requirement ofnational treatment (as of right for companieswhich fall within the qualification category ofProtocol II) implementing legislation should beput in place.
Regional standing committees or panels oftechnocrats from regional institutions should beestablished to hear and advise on disputes inthe areas of exchange control, applicability oflicensing and other discretionary powers,professional accreditation, granting of workpermits, the operation of securities exchangesand related issues. These bodies should beused as an alternative method of disputeresolution beyond the proposed CaribbeanCourt of Justice.
In territories where exchange controls stillexist, speedier exchange control procedures
should be adopted and individual limits forover-the-counter transactions should beincreased in order to make movement fromone territory to another more efficient.
Institutional support mechanisms such as theregional stock exchange and sub-regionalsecondary mortgage market should be furtherdeveloped since there is a direct relationshipbetween the movement of capital and thedevelopment of the services sector. (Suchdevelopment would also assist in making theCSME more fully eligible for the GATS regionalsystem exemption.) In areas wheregovernments opt to use administrative ratherthan legal procedures to implement any discre-tionary powers under their Protocol IIobligations, these procedures should aim atgreater transparency. Such procedures wouldinclude the establishment of a body ofprecedent of Ministerial decisions, the devisingof clear and simple methods of application, thepublication of a list of criteria and precedents,the advertising of applications, the laying ofMinisterial orders and the creation of appealprocedures.
Governmental procedures for approving orfacilitating investment should be enhanced bythe removal of unnecessary discretionarypowers and the formulation, documentationand publication of elements of the investmentregime applicable to regional service providersshould be given priority.
The region will also need to consider improvingair services and financial arrangements whichcan facilitate the free movement of services.(These issues are dealt with in Protocols VIand II respectively).
RegionalIntegrationthrough theCARICOM SingleMarket andEconomy (CSME)Essentially, the key to successful intra-CARICOM trade in services and full partici-pation in negotiations on services at thehemispheric and international levels lies in the
establishment and full implementation of theCARICOM Single Market and Economy(CSME). The CSME will provide the basis forfree movement of labour and capital within theregion and the possibility of free trade inservices. The CSME must then be deepenedto extend national treatment to CARICOMnationals and governments must ensure thattheir national legislation facilitates thisprocess. Successful integration at theregional level is the only avenue throughwhich CARICOM will qualify for the regionalsystem exemption under GATS.
Recommendations
The preamble statement in Protocol IIsuggesting the extension of freedom ofmovement in the labour market beyond thesupervisory and self-employed categoriesshould be made into a substantive obligation.This will require national governments tointroduce measures for facilitating freemovement of CARICOM nationals within theirborders.
The arrangements of Protocol II should beintegrated into national law in each of theCARICOM territories. Resources should beidentified to assist Member States with thedrafting of national legislation and specifictimeframes should be set for the implemen-tation of the terms of the Protocol. Anyimplementing legislation should also providefor any extensions recommended toProtocol II.
National legislation with regard to the freemovement of skilled nationals (movement oflabour) should include aspects of Protocol IIand the Heads of Government decision withthe extension of such rights to non-graduateself-employed and supervisory personnel andartistes, sportsmen and media personnel.
National and regional professional associ-ations and regulatory bodies should work withgovernments to design and implement morediverse and internationally relevant accredi-tation requirements, procedures and profes-sional rules.
Existing double taxation provisions forCommonwealth countries should be extendedto become an international provision andregional legislation should be examinedclosely for any other areas of Commonwealthpreference. Such preference should be
removed or made to apply to all nations whereit can be shown to affect trade in services.
The CARICOM Secretariat and its agenciesshould be strengthened to undertake the taskof monitoring continuing development which isa requirement of GATS.
Conclusions
Negotiations on free trade in services at thehemispheric and international levels provide aunique opportunity for CARICOM MemberStates to examine their own position on tradein services within the region as a steppingstone to wider economic participation.
Although the legal and administrativeframeworks which would support thedevelopment of intra-regional trade in thesector are not yet fully in place, nationalgovernments and private sectors are in aposition to ensure that this is achieved.
Governments will need to act immediately toinstitute the reforms which are necessary forcompliance with GATS and to developcommon negotiating positions for future tradeagreements.
Members of the private sector will need tomonitor the progress and implementation oflegislation and policies intended to facilitatedevelopment and free trade in services. Theywill need also to develop institutions which canprovide and insist on access to information andsupport systems.
Any gains made through the regionalintegration process to date can only bemaintained through the concerted efforts ofgovernments and private sectors to worktogether to consolidate the CARICOM SingleMarket and Economy (CSME).
Useful Reference
Carnegie, A. Ralph and David J.H. Thompson(1999). Legal Regime of Free Trade inServices. (Prepared for the Caribbean ExportDevelopment Agency.)
Caribbean Export Development Agency(2000). The Protocols Amending the Treaty ofChaguaramas.
Caribbean Export Development Agency(2000). The Services Sector in CARICOM.
TRADEWINS is a publication of the Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export). It is animportant part of the agency's advocacy programme - making trade information accessible to those who need itmost.
Caribbean Export has identified a need to broaden and consolidate private sector involvement in the business oftrade - identifying markets, improving market access, increasing competitiveness and playing a key role in thedevelopment of trade policy.
TRADEWINS is a series of edited reports, treaties and agreements reflecting trends in regional business andpointing the way to future development. The series will be published occasionally - as new documents come tohand. Through TRADEWINS, we aim to inform members of the private sector, and others, of the important role ofresearch, policy and negotiation in the development of regional and international trade. We hope that they will beencouraged to better organise themselves, to increase the present levels of research and to lobby theirgovernments for changes which can improve the way they do business.
Caribbean Export welcomes your feedback on this series. Please feel free to contact us at the addresses below:
(Headquarters)Caribbean Export Development AgencyMutual BuildingHastings Main RoadChrist ChurchBARBADOS
The Caribbean Export Development Agency serves the Caribbean Forum of ACP States (CARIFORUM).CARIFORUM comprises CARICOM states (Caribbean Community and Common Market), Haiti and the DominicanRepublic. The CARIFORUM Secretariat is located in Georgetown, Guyana.
(Member States of CARICOM are: Antigua & Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, the Commonwealth ofDominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines,Suriname and Trinidad & Tobago.) (Haiti has been provisionally accepted into the Community and will attain fullstatus once its accession has been completed. The Bahamas is a member of the Caribbean Community but not ofthe Common Market.)
Text: Gabrielle HezekiahDesign and Layout: Artistech Inc.
