Dessalines » 2011-04-20 10:41 @ Farmsworth How does Caribbean unity trump the standard of living of nationals of any country. How is it that one standard of Cbean unity for Haiti and another for Jamaica and Guyana. It is evident that the Caribbean attracts the low skilled and criminal elements of these two countries. The skilled JA and GT nationals migrate to the USA and Europe mainly. In Antigua we have no mechanisms to keep criminals from coming to our shores. Just visit Diamond Ice, Wendy's or Jam Dung and you see the evidence of the slack policy in live colour. Read more: http://www.caribarena.com/antigua/news/latest/97222-sint-maarten-implements-new-visa-requirements.html#ixzz2LYbAnBOa

(10 January 2011) ..As a first step towards the CSME, Haiti was due to enter the trade in goods regime of the Single Market in January 2010 but could not do so because of the earthquake. To assist in stimulating economic activity, the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) in December, approved a request for some Haitian products to be exported within the Single Market on a non-reciprocal preferential basis for three years. Consultations are on-going towards approval of additional items from an original list which Haiti submitted. The concession became effective from 1 January 2011. CARICOM Secretariat officials are continuing their training exercises with Haitian customs officials to facilitate their understanding of the CSME’s trading regime.

tenman » 2011-04-20 13:07 Dessalines let me point you to the CARICOM website which says of Haiti www.caricom.org/jsp/pressreleases/pres256_07.jsp which states: "(CARICOM) Secretary-Gener al, His Excellency Edwin W. Carrington said a significant amount of work had to be done to bring Haiti on board the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME). The Haitian Parliament ratified the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas including the Single Market and Economy three weeks ago and this paved the way for its participation in the CSME. The final domestic legal requirement is the publication of the ratification in the country’s National Gazette. Haiti will also have to deposit its instruments of ratification with the CARICOM Secretariat. In-depth discussions on various aspects of the CSME with agencies and institutions such as the University of the West Indies (UWI), the establishment of institutional structures and dialogue with civil society were among the steps the Secretary-Gener al identified towards CSME-readiness.

Dessalines » 2011-04-20 10:34 @Tenman Antigua should follow suit. ... As to the generalisation that the economy will suffer, in what way. What exactly do illegal immigrants contribute to one's economy? Most of them work 'off books' and thus do not pay taxes or into the social and medical schemes. Remember St. Maarten is a part of the Kingdom of the Nethelands and has become a magnet for JA, DR and GT nationals vying to get a EU passport. Read more: http://www.caribarena.com/antigua/news/latest/97222-sint-maarten-implements-new-visa-requirements.html#comment-56396#ixzz2LXlAv8Ih