The 39th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) officially opened July 4, in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

Just prior to leaving for CARICOM, senior policy advisor to the Prime Minister, Joshua Sears discussed the importance of this particular conclave.

He explained that the significance of this meeting for The Bahamas is that it affords Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis an opportunity to be in dialogue with his colleague Heads of Government; particularly newly-elected Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley.

“This is an opportunity for heads to forge that level of relationship and also encourage them to cause their respective agencies to collaborate within CARICOM,” Sears said.

Heads will discuss measures impacting the implementation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), Crime and Security in the Region and emerging geo-political developments, which can have an impact on the Region’s growth prospects.

Heads will also discuss the topic “Building Resilience: Disaster Management and Recovery Strategy for The Community” after the region experienced several major hurricanes, consecutively Hurricane Joaquin in 2015, Matthew in 2016 and Irma and Maria in 2017.

Sears spoke about Bahamas’ involvement in CARICOM, which predates the country’s independence

The Bahamas became a member of CARICOM on July 4, 1983 – 10 years after its Independence on July 10, 1973. The Treaty was later revised in 2002 to allow for the eventual establishment of a single market and a single economy.

However, The Bahamas remains a non-participant in the CSME.