Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda Gaston Browne
Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda Gaston Browne says smaller member states of CARICOM have not seen the economic windfall experienced by larger nations.
Prime Minister Browne says due to the uneven benefits of integration within CARICOM, some nations prioritise their own economic advantages while neglecting the needs of smaller member states.
Mr. Browne adds that the disparity in trade benefits among CARICOM nations, has seen some countries, such as Trinidad and Tobago, reaping substantial economic rewards from regional trade agreements, while smaller nations have largely become consumer markets with limited production capacity.
The prime minister also said there is the reluctance of certain CARICOM nations to contribute to the Caribbean Development Fund, established to support disadvantaged member states by providing financial assistance to build economic capacity and mitigate trade imbalances.
According to the Antigua prime minister, some countries that benefit the most from CARICOM trade agreements have failed to uphold their commitments to the fund, leaving smaller economies struggling to compete.
The Antiguan leader also warned that if these disparities persist, they could weaken the foundations of regional cooperation.
He called for a more collaborative approach, where all CARICOM nations actively support economic balancing measures to ensure smaller economies are not marginalised.
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