Caricom nationals set for free regional movement by March 31

Caricom citizens, including those from Antigua and Barbuda, are expected to have unrestricted travel privileges throughout member states by the end of the month.

The announcement was made during a news conference by Barbados Prime Minister, Mia Mottley, concluding this week’s four-day Caricom summit in Georgetown, Guyana.

Mottley revealed that leaders had decided on Wednesday to remove the six-month stay limit for Caricom citizens in participating nations.

The leaders are working towards achieving this goal by March 31st.

Efforts are also underway to address the issue of company formation. Leaders plan to achieve mutual recognition of companies across the community by July.

A digital platform will be set up, allowing individuals to register companies seamlessly across Caricom nations.

Currently, when a Caricom citizen wishes to establish a company in another member state after relocation, they are obligated to make a payment. This, according to Mottley, is an unnecessary burden.

Caricom Chairman, Guyana’s President Dr Irfaan Ali, emphasized leaders’ commitment to implementing the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME).

PM Mottley added that telling people they have to pay separate sums to form the same company, doing the same business in each of the countries they are entering, is a burden too heavy to carry in a single market, and a single economy.

She explained that they are working towards mutual recognition of companies across the community and hope to have it settled by the July meeting in Grenada.