A significant milestone in Caribbean integration has been reached as the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) announces full free movement among four member states: Belize, Dominica, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Barbados. This landmark decision, rooted in the Enhanced Cooperation Chapter of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, marks a transformative step toward regional unity and economic collaboration. The initiative, spearheaded by Prime Ministers Mia Mottley, John Briceño, Roosevelt Skerritt, and Ralph Gonsalves, builds upon the foundation laid by the 1989 Grand Anse Declaration, which envisioned a Single Market for the Caribbean. Citizens of these nations can now travel, work, and reside indefinitely across the participating jurisdictions without the need for work permits or additional visas. This development not only strengthens regional ties but also opens doors for enhanced cultural exchange, economic opportunities, and shared governance. Dr. Kai-Ann Skeete, Trade Policy Research Fellow at the Shridath Ramphal Centre, emphasizes the importance of this integration, urging young professionals to explore opportunities within the OECS territories, which have long embraced free movement. She also calls for strategic communication, technological innovation, and civil society engagement to address challenges such as transportation, standardization, and geopolitical tensions. As CARICOM moves forward, the region must harness youthful energy and collective wisdom to ensure equitable and sustainable development. The words of former Barbados Prime Minister Owen Arthur resonate deeply: ‘It is time to now give Caribbean unity a chance.’
COMMENTARY: The long walk to full free movement within the CARICOM Single Market
