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ST GEORGE’S, Grenada -- Secretary-general of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, continued his series of consultations with stakeholders in member states during an official visit to Grenada.

This forms part of his advocacy for the Community and his thrust to engage stakeholders in the decision-making processes.

In Grenada he met with the Prime Minister Tillman Thomas, the Foreign Minister Karl Hood, representatives of the business sector, the academic community, the Grenada Chamber of Commerce, youth ambassadors, tertiary graduates and members of the media.

During a meeting with the principal and registrar of the T.A. Marryshow Community College he shared some of the challenges confronting the Community and its Secretariat. He pledged his support for education and noted his intention to engage the intellectual capital of the Community on regional development issues. He also explained the organizational structure and culture of the CARICOM Secretariat.

Following that meeting, the CARICOM secretary-general engaged members of the Grenada Chamber of Commerce, who outlined several challenges confronting exporters within the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), chief of which was the need for harmonized regulatory standards and processes for exports. The secretary-general explained that there were plans afoot to establish regional business grouping -- Caribbean Business Council – that would give expression to the issues, challenges and voice of private sector interest groups.

He added that the CARICOM Secretariat was also working with registrars in member states to automate registration of companies to ensure that companies can enjoy the ‘ease’ of doing business as registered entities. In addition the secretary-general addressed the negative perceptions about the single market, asserting that it is still on track and, while CARICOM might have placed the single currency on hold, this would not affect the sustainability of the single market.

Later that afternoon, LaRocque met with the CARICOM youth ambassadors for Grenada, along with several tertiary graduates, who were a part of the “Engaging youth in the CSME,” project. As was anticipated, the discussion with the young people was rich and vibrant; throwing up several poignant issues including their concern for the pace at which the recommendations contained in the report of the CARICOM Commission on Youth Development (CCYD) were being implemented. The secretary-general acknowledged the implementation deficit and pledged to address the issue, noting that youth development is one of the key priorities during his tenure.

The secretary-general also took the opportunity to tour the facilities of the Caribbean Knowledge Learning Network (CKLN) and interact with its staff. During the visit, chief executive officer Ken Sylvester briefed him on how C@ribnet, which is to be launched later this year, will work. C@ribNET is a broadband fiber optic network, configured to connect tertiary institutions, hospitals, schools, and CARICOM and other institutions engaged in knowledge development and research, within the Caribbean, and then to connect these institutions to research and education institutions in the rest of the world. The secretary-general welcomed the news and noted the pivotal role that information and communication technology (ICT) plays in advancing the CARICOM single market as well as the development agenda.

In his interaction with members of the Grenada media on Tuesday, LaRocque emphasized the importance of regarding the media as a key stakeholder and exponent of the integration message and not just as a medium. He clarified misconceptions about the CSME; outlined his intention to make himself more visible and accessible to the Media and listened intently to invaluable recommendations that they shared to improve communication within the CARICOM Secretariat.

To date, LaRocque has met with stakeholders in at least seven member states. The stakeholder consultations, he explained, have yielded invaluable information and feedback that he would incorporate in the decision-making process.

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