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BENEFITS OF REGIONAL INTEGRATION
There are many beneficial factors which have been produced due
to regional integration of the
Caribbean states. Some of which are:
Benefits of free trade
- The reduction of the price of goods, due to the removal of
duties, taxes, quotas andlicensing arrangements, have all
contributed to generating a greater volume of trade. This
leads to higher levels of demand for goods and services and with
increased production,
more employment is created for nationals.
Benefits of common policies in dealing with non-member states
and trans-national
corporations
- The arrangement of preferential rates and special quotas can
be established for Caribbeangoods entering economic blocs such as
the European Union and the United States of
America. This especially refers to agricultural products such as
bananas, sugar and their
by-products, such as rum.
- With the reduction of competition among member states in
attracting foreign investment,better bargains can be negotiated by
host countries when attracting foreign investors.
- Better prices for extra-regional exports and cheaper prices
for imports to the region fromother international sources can be
the result from a united voice among the member
states.
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Meteorology
- The Caribbean Meteorology Organisation, situated in Trinidad
and Tobago, wasestablished by Caricom Heads of Government to
service the Caribbean region. It receives
data on weather patterns for transmission to other Caricom
states. Therefore, each
member state is not required to establish its own satellite
station. Hence, it acts as a cost
savings tool which benefits the Least Developed Countries.
Health
- The Caribbean Epidemiology Centre (CAREC) was established as a
result of theCaribbean Health Ministers Conference held in Dominica
in 1973. The formation of the
agency was in response to an urgent need for research into
certain communicable
diseases, around this period, which posed a threat to the health
the Caribbean citizens.
Urgent follow-up action was pursued and in collaboration with
other health organizations
CAREC began operation on January 1, 1975. This centre is
equipped with laboratory
facilities along with qualified staff to research diseases and
their effects. The health of
Caribbean people has been safe guarded due to the focus on
research. The centre
disseminates technical information and the introduction of new
approaches to prevent
diseases.
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Environmental Health
- The issue of forming a regional environmental health institute
was raised by theCaribbean Ministers of Health in 1979. In 1988,
with its headquarters in St. Lucia, the
persistence of this organ of Caricom led to the birth of the
Caribbean Environmental
Health Institute (CEHI). The preservation and protection of the
environment, particularly
air, land and water is the institutes major concern. The
operation of CEHI ensures that
the Caribbean population will continue to live in a healthy,
well protected environment.
Natural Disasters
- In 1991, with its headquarters in Barbados, the Caribbean
Emergency Response Agency(CDERA) began operation through an
arrangement made at a Heads of Government
Conference. Natural disasters have constantly plagued the
Caribbean region. Due to the
activities of CDERA, the Caribbean people are fully aware of
impending and prepared to
deal, with natural disasters. To obtain assistance in times of
calamities and to prevent
disasters where possible are the agencys main objectives. Loss
of life and damage to
property are mitigated.
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