If we wish to prohibit competition and to close our markets from liberalisation of trade, then we must choose to opt out of the current international negotiations in the World Trade Organisation and in the Free Trade of the Americas Agreement. But, we will have to recognise that, in opting out of these arrangements, while we may protectr some of our local businessses, we will also stop the growth of our economy, halt investment, and lock ourselves out of the markets of the world. It will not be long before our economies either and die. We have proven in the areas of tourism, international financial services and international shipping that we have the capacity to compete successfully. Our local businesses must now learn to make the quality of their goods and services enough to survive against external competition in our domestic market.
Caribbean businesses have only a short window of opportunity.
They should take advantage of it. Over the next few months, Caribbean governments will be negotiating in the FTAA and the WTO to ensure that account is taken of our level of development and the size of our economies. We will be arguing for longer periods by which to implement the obligations of new trade and investment rules. At the root of what we will be arguing is that there must be the structure of these arrangements must be equitable and just, and they must be decided by principles of democracy which must include an equal voice at the decision - making table. The trend of dictation by the few must be reversed.