Regional Integration

Challenges Facing the Caribbean Region

 Small in size
 Vulnerability to natural disasters
 Shortage of skilled workers- Brain drain
 Migration
 Unemployment and underemployment
 Debt Burden
 Lack of diversification
 Shortage of capital
 Limited physical resource and unequal distribution of resources
 Inadequate technology

Stages of Regional Integration

1. West Indies Federation- 1958-1962

- First attempt of regional integration
- 3 main goals of integration: social, economic and political development
- WIF aimed to achieve political development
- 10 Caribbean countries/members
- Caribbean countries were fighting for independence and development within their region. They
came together to gain independence because they were unable to achieve this by themselves.
- Ended in 1962 when some of its members gained independence e.g. Jamaica

2. CARIFTA: CARIBBEAN FREE TARDE ASSOCIATION- 1968-1972

- Idea came about in 1965
- Aimed for economic development among Caribbean countries
- Islands were small and lacked necessary resources
- Promote trade liberalization
- Reduce tariffs
- Made trade easier and more accessible
- Failed because of labour shortage: people migrating to international territories
- The territories were unable to keep up with the international market

3. CARICOM: Caribbean Community- 1973

- Used to replace CARIFTA
- Treaty of Chaguaramas- July 4, 1973 (signed), August 1 (begins to operate)
- Signed in Trinidad and Tobago
- Headquarters in Guyana
- Main difference of CARICOM from the other stages: aimed to promote economic, social and
political developemt
- 20 members in total
- 15 member states
- 5 associate member states

15 Member States:
 Antigua and Barbuda
 Barbados
 Belize
  Dominica
 Granada
 Guyana
 Haiti
 Jamaica
 St. Kitts and Nevis
 St. Vincent and the Grenadines
 Suriname
 Trinidad and Tobago

5 Associate Member States:

 Anguilla
 Bermuda
 British Virgin Islands
 Cayman Island
 Turks and Caicos

CARICOM Secretariat
- Record meetings
- Prepare proposals
- Deals with documentations
- Creates Minutes
- Mobilizes resources e.g. food: they distribute it
- Circulate information e.g. meetings etc.
- Located in Guyana

4. OECS: Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States- 1981

- Eastern Caribbean was isolated form the Western Caribbean
- Primarily consists of the Lesser Antilles
- Extremely small and unable to achieve certain areas of development by themselves
- The individual territories lack capital
- 9 members:
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Dominica
- Grenada
- Montserrat
- St. Kitts and Nevis
- St. Lucia
- St. Vincent and the Grenadines
- Anguilla
- British Virgin Islands

Conference of the Heads of Government

- Consists of the Prime Ministers of each member states
Factors Promoting Regional Integration

1. Common Heritage
- Similar cultural and historical background and experience
- Similar political experiences

2. Common economic and social issues

3. Effects of globalization on the Caribbean region

Factors Hindering Regional Integration

1. Geographical location

2. The stages of developemt in different territories: underdeveloped and developed countries

3. Influence of multinational corporations

- The countries in which these corporations are located in get little or no profits/ benefits

4. Unequal distribution of resources

5. Territorial and regional demands

6. Lack of diversification of products

Benefits of Regional Integration

1. Reduction of underemployment and underpay

2. Trade liberalization

3. Improvement of life in the Caribbean

4. Increases cooperation among member states

5. Increases Caribbean opportunity of competing at the International market

6. Economic, social and political development is achieved

7. Increase in market size

How can Individuals Promote Regional Integration?

1. Being informed

2. Entrepreneurship: setting up small businesses

3. Supporting regional products

4. Investing in local and regional businesses

 5. Support Caribbean citizens

How can Businesses Promote Regional Integration?

1. Employment and investment opportunities for people

2. Providing quality goods and services that is accessible in the Caribbean

3. Increase in the range of goods and services

4. Improving competitiveness

How can the Government Promote Regional Integration?

1. Create and implement/enforce law that surrounds the promotion of regional integration

2. Educating citizens on the benefits of regional integration

3. Government representing the needs of their country

Regional Bodies Responsible for Sports

1. WICB: West Indies Cricket Board

2. CONCACAF: The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association
Football

Regional Body Responsible for Agriculture

1. CARDI: Caribbean Agricultural Research and Developemt Institution

Regional Bodies Responsible for Education

1. UWI: University of the West Indies

2. CXC: Caribbean Examination Council

Regional Body Responsible for Justice

1. CCJ: Caribbean Court of Justice

Regional Bodies Responsible for Health

1. Caribbean Environmental and Health Institution

2. Caribbean Epidemiology Centre

Regional Body Responsible for Disaster

1. CDEMA: Caribbean Disaster and Emergency Management Agency

Regional Body Responsible for Security

1. RSS: Regional Security Services