Caricom Must Strengthen Ties with Non-english-speaking Countries – Pm

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness (right), responds to a question from International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director, Christine Lagarde, during the Heads of Government panel discussion on ‘Challenges and Opportunities in the Caribbean’ at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston on Thursday, November 16. The panel discussion was one of four convened during the sixth IMF High Level Caribbean Forum, which was held at the hotel on Thursday under the theme ‘Unleashing Growth and Strengthening Resilience in the Caribbean’.

Prime Minister, the Most Andrew Holness, is calling for the strengthening of relations between CARICOM member states and non-English-speaking countries across the Caribbean and Latin America.

He was speaking at the closing panel discussion on ‘Challenges and Opportunities in the Caribbean’ at the sixth International Monetary Fund (IMF) High Level Caribbean Forum at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston on Thursday, November 17.

The Prime Minister was supported in his call by Grenada’s Prime Minister, Hon. Dr. Keith Mitchell, and The Bahamas’ Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, Hon. Peter Turnquist.

Mr. Holness, who indicated that he is a “big proponent” of full Caribbean integration, argued that significant benefits can be derived from stronger relations between CARICOM countries and countries such as the Dominion Republic, Haiti and Cuba.

He said Jamaica is actively pursuing a policy of outreach and engagement with the Spanish-speaking countries within the region. “I have paid an official visit to the Dominican Republic (with which) we are pursuing a joint tourism agreement… and we have done the same with Cuba,” he pointed out.

“There is a huge market in Latin America, which Jamaica has to tap into… and I think the rest of the Caribbean has to do the same. For us, I think there is greater advantage with us reaching out,” he added.

While acknowledging that “language is a barrier”, Mr. Holness maintained that “it is in our interest that we have the policies to support our people speaking a second language, in particular Spanish and French”.

Dr. Mitchell, for his part, said much is already taking place towards integrating non-English-speaking countries.

He pointed out that Haiti has been elected as the next Chair of CARICOM while Martinique has been admitted as an Associate Member of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).

Additionally, he said Guadeloupe has applied for Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) membership “and most likely will be admitted, so I think there is some significant movement in that regard; we are moving in the right direction”.

Mr. Turnquist also agreed that CARICOM needs to do more to support and integrate non-English-speaking countries.

He noted that opportunities often available to English-speaking territories are invariably not afforded to the other countries “because of the fact that they are isolated, in some respects, because of the language issues”.

In this regard, Mr. Turnquist welcomed Haiti’s selection to Chair CARICOM.

He said that The Bahamas has a very active and positive relationship with all its non-English-speaking neighbours“, because of very specific strategic issues that we have between us”.

The panel discussion, which was moderated by IMF Managing Director, Christine Lagarde, was one of four convened during the conference, which was held under the theme ‘Unleashing Growth and Strengthening Resilience in the Caribbean’.

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