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WEEK ENDING October 9, 2014
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EDITORIAL
Status of Regional Integration
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xactly one year ago, the Secretary General of the Caribbean Community (CariCom) Secretariat, Mr Erwin La Rocque delivered an address in Trinidad on "The status of the Regional Integration Process and Vision for the Future of Caricom". As he conceded, the lofty hopes raised in the bosoms of Caribbean peoples by the launch of Caribbean Free Trade Area (CARIFTA) in 1968 and its successor Caricom in 1973 had been dashed in the opinions of most ordinary citizens. As he noted, the thrust for integration had long preceded these two initiatives and indeed had surfaced as far back as the 1930's with the growth of the trade union movement struggling for equity and justice for sugar workers. The short lived WI Federation (1958-1962) which actually was supposed to integrate ten of the territories, failed because among other things, the British never devolved sufficient power and authority to the Central Governing body. It is more than ironic that in Mr LaRocque's estimation, this shortcoming is still the major impediment in the present to a more successful integration movement in Caricom. While CARIFTA was just an initiative to further Free Trade among the territories, it was recognised by the founding fathers that this was simply a starting point towards a much more unified arrangement. The Treaty of Chaguaramas, signed in 1973, sought to formalise this aspiration by deepening the integration arrangements on the basis of three pillars: economic integration; foreign policy co-ordination and functional co-operation. But beyond all of that its goal was encapsulated in the name: a Caribbean COMMUNITY. But the reluctance of the individual territories to concede any substantial diminution of sovereignty which hastened the demise of the WI Federation proved once again a formidable barrier to the first goal of "economic integration". As far back as 1967, the economists Thomas and Brewster had drafted a very credible plan for the Region to execute this goal but it was never taken seriously. Each territory insisted on pursuing an autarkic system of development-which, because of their minuscule sizes, was always a pipe dream. The rest of the world in the meantime retooled their economies to deal with what was to be called "globalisation", while the Caribbean remained stuck with their primary production and their "Sun and Surf" tourism. By 1989, even though they had not made much progress on economic integration-save the imposition of a "Common External Tariff" on defined products from outside the Region-an even deeper form of economic integration was declared. This was the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME). The Single Market was thought achievable by 1993, yet it was not until 2001 that the Treaty of Chaguramas was actually amended to articulate the goal. Again concrete progress on specifics lagged while paper agreements multiplied. In 2006, a "Single Market" was declared with 12 of the 15 territories in Caricom participating. But from the standpoint of improving the economic performance of the Region, the impact was negligible, because the actual mechanisms to make the declaration real, such as shipping, were never put into place. And once again declarations and plans continued blithely onwards. In 2007, a "Single Development Vision" was adopted which projected the completion of the Single Economy by 2015. But once again the leaders of the Caribbean's reach exceeded their grasp. They had signed a contentious "Economic Partnership Agreement" with the European Union in 2008 and was working on one with Canada, when they declared in 2011 that the Single Economy goal was being placed on "pause". This official "pause" is still the operative word as far as the regional integration movement is concerned. The sad truth is that while from the beginning it was accepted that real integration success depended on having an executive body with teeth to guide Caricom, the individual leaders are unwilling to put their money where their mouths are.
Guyanese superstar Eddy Grant made two fans’ night when he posed with them during GuyExpo 2014 in Guyana (Carl Croker photo)
Caribbean urged to rethink renewable energy policies
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RIDGETOWN, BARBADOS: The head of the European Union Delegation to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Ambassador Mikael Barfod said if the Caribbean is to fully integrate renewable energy into its development path so that it impacts on its economy, then it must adjust its mind-set to do so. Barfod, who will be participating in the October 6-8 Caribbean Renewable Energy Forum in Miami, said currently, access to renewable energy in the Region is much skewed. “Only a few Caribbean citizens have had the opportunity to educate themselves on the benefits, and even fewer have actually implemented various renewable energy systems with attendant benefits, despite the affordability of the technology, financing opportunities and very impressive ‘payback’ periods. “Renewable energy seems to be perceived as being for the ‘elites’, while in many countries in the Region the fuel adjustment clause still hits the most vulnerable harder than the rest of the population,” he added. Barfod, in an article entitled “Renewable Energy– Bridging the Caribbean Divide–An EU perspective” said the Caribbean must adopt a renewable energy mentality, even as he acknowledged that “this is no doubt easier said than done”. But he argued that with the high education levels of the Region, relatively robust governance systems, proximity to and extensive exchanges with very developed economies and the substantial
amounts of investments offered by both donor agencies and the private sector, a very sound basis exists on which to achieve the goals of the region. He said the Caribbean realities of low penetration of renewable energy, insufficient renewable energy specialists and technicians; energy monopolies, non-implementation of policies, legislation and regulations as well as relatively low public awareness are well known and documented.
First step
Barfod said education, lifestyle changes, policy, legislation and regulation are factors that should be considered among the “first steps” to overcome the impediments. “Education is fundamental. Similar to the efforts in the hospitality sector, the renewable energy sector must ensure that all aspects of the sector are captured at various levels of the school curriculum. "The curriculum at the primary, secondary and tertiary level should all feature aspects of the renewable energy subject matter. In this regard, it is vital that a gender balanced approach is adopted. On a general level too, public education should inform citizens of the Region on making energy choices when purchasing appliances and the affordability and financing options for installing renewable energy equipment in their homes." He said essentially the Caribbean is fighting an undeclared conflict on high energy prices and energy insecurity, both of which have significantly adverse effects
on the development of the Region. “At the same time, the Caribbean will cement its already strong moral case in international climate change negotiations by a radical adoption of renewable energy and energy efficient measures.” Barfod said volumes have been written on the importance of legislation, policy and regulation for establishing sound investment climates and general sector development frameworks. “However, it is not sufficient merely to enact these. They must be implemented, regularly updated and reviewed by all stakeholders in a country to reflect changing technologies, changing times and to encourage, mandate and inform the renewable energy development strategy. “These are pre-requisites for bridging the divide. It may be claimed that in many countries of the Region, these already exist. This is well, but are they then also translated into action? If this is not the case, stakeholders must collectively find out why not.” The European Union diplomat said policies, legislation and regulation should not be seen as passive documents but must be actively reworked to deliver and reflect changing times, technologies and circumstances. “There are countless examples of countries, cities, utilities and organisations that have taken ambitious strides in renewable energy and energy efficiency; it is time that the Caribbean shows its strength and joins this group–sooner rather than later.”