(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) The six-member Committee established by Heads of Government and Leaders of the Parliamentary Opposition after their historic meeting of last July in Saint Lucia, convened in Kingston, Jamaica, on 30 January 2006, to follow up on matters arising, particularly issues related to the establishment of the Single Market and Economy and the way forward for the dialogue process.

Historic Step towards greater Regional Unity Ceremonial Inauguration of the Caricom Single Market held An historic milestone was reached with the formal launch of the CARICOM Single Market (CSM) on Monday January 30, in Kingston, Jamaica. A new spirit of regional cooperation was ushered in at yesterday’s signing ceremony, which marked the signing of two declarations by the Heads of Government of CARICOM.

When you my colleagues conferred on Jamaica the singular privilege of hosting this ceremony, I had no hesitation in selecting as our venue the Mona Campus. There could be no more fitting location for this historic occasion, since this is indeed Caribbean soil. For nearly six decades now, the University of the West Indies has served as the fountainhead for regional learning, research and intellectual analysis. It has become the cradle which imbued in so many of us an unflinching commitment to regionalism.

I welcome the opportunity to speak to you at the official launch of the CARICOM Single Market. This is my first address as Chairman of the Conference of Heads of Government; and I wish to start by saying that Trinidad and Tobago is honoured and especially privileged to be in the Chair at this momentous time. We aim to do our utmost to advance the regional agenda.

His Excellency- the Governor General and Lady Cooke;
Hon Chairman of Conference, the Hon Patrick Manning, Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago;
The Most Honourable Percival James Patterson, O.N, Prime Minister of Jamaica;
His Excellency the President of Suriname and Other Distinguished Heads of Government;
Honourable Ministers of Government;
Leaders of the Parliamentary Opposition and other Members of Parliament;
Members of the Diplomatic Corps;

(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) The six-member Committee established by Heads of Government and Leaders of the Parliamentary Opposition after their historic meeting of last July in Saint Lucia, convened in Kingston, Jamaica, on 30 January 2006, to follow up on matters arising, particularly issues related to the establishment of the Single Market and Economy and the way forward for the dialogue process.

(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) Jamaica, on Tuesday at the Second Special Meeting of the Council for Finance and Planning (COFAP), joined Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago in making an initial pledge to the regional Development Fund. Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago had made initial pledges last December at the First Special Meeting of COFAP.

I welcome the opportunity to speak to you at the official launch of the CARICOM Single Market. This is my first address as Chairman of the Conference of Heads of Government; and I wish to start by saying that Trinidad and Tobago is honoured and especially privileged to be in the Chair at this momentous time. We aim to do our utmost to advance the regional agenda.

Let me pay special tribute to our host, that titan of Caribbean integration and magnificent international statesman, the Most Honourable Percival J. Patterson. We simply thank you for your work and Almighty God for your inspiring life.