You don't hear much about it, but the CARICOM Single Market and Economy is in effect and it will be the topic on the agenda for the annual Signa Yorke Memorial Symposium. Organizers Yasmine Andrews and Natalie Williams stopped by our office to tell us that while CSME has been implemented, there's still a lot Belizeans don't know about the integration process and how it will affect us.
Yasmine Andrews,
"It is very timely, eventhough the CSME has been implemented. After January 1st we still have not seen effects we could project safely will be seen in the next six to eight months and therefore people need to be aware and be informed of how we as a nation could be more prepared. In light of this, the three speakers will be talking from three different perspectives. We have Bert Tucker who will be talking about the effect on the macro-economy, we have Ms. Marion McNab who will be talking about the impact on education, and then we have Kevin Herrera from the Chamber of Commerce who will be looking at the productive sector."
Natalie Williams,
"We're looking at ourselves as a nation, we're looking at ourselves and how we fit within this regional plan or scheme; are we educated enough, are we skilled enough, are we trained enough, are we competitive enough, do we have enough market to sustain other markets, are we competitive enough---so its all these regional global issues that arise and are significant to think about."
The symposium will be held tomorrow night at the Bliss Center. Entrance is free and everyone is invited.
