Trinidad and Tobago nationals can expect to see a new Caricom passport by June this year, facilitating hassle-free travel among member countries of the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME).
This according to Ambassador Jerry Narace, head of the local CSME Unit, who was speaking yesterday at the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA) offices on the implementation of the CSME for the services and manufacturing sectors.
Caribbean heads of Government have agreed to the issuance of a Caricom passport by member states as a defining symbol of regionalism, Narace said.
He added that the Caricom passport would link Caricom nationals to more than just their country of birth. However, the new passport does not automatically enable persons to work in another CSME member state. Narace noted that the free movement of persons under the CSME is an important function of the initiative.
To date, more than 700 Caricom Skills Certificates have been issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to enable free movement to the five categories of wage earners-university graduates, media workers, sports persons, artistes and musicians.
Narace added that other categories of persons being allowed to move freely through the region are under consideration.
He said that he understood people’s concern for the proposed free flow of Caricom nationals across the region by 2008.
The Nassau Guardian
