no compensating mechanism for redistribution to support the development efforts of the oecs countries, and to balance the trade inequalities in the region. this is a very serious problem and could lead to much resentment in the countries of the oecs, particularly if there is no freedom of movement of labour to allow for some sort of adjustment. the argument which is being advanced is quite simple. the best option for st kitts and nevis and the other countries of the oecs is to access the csme as a unified bloc so that they can advance their interests through enhanced economic and negotiating capacity. the associated argument is that the csme ’ s success depends on the prior or parallel establishment of a consolidated and coherent oecs entity. both historical and contemporary circumstances combine to support these arguments. the fragmentation of the caribbean region into separate sovereignties following the demise of the west indies federation led to the smallest states, the oecs having to delay their independence and then to establish sub - regional arrangements, which were given concrete expression in the treaty of basseterre ( 1981 ). there has been an apparent conceptual approach in the oecs which, given their very small size, is characterized by a very conscious effort to support regional initiatives. this is quite different in the larger countries which always seem to think they have other options. the treaty of basseterre embraces the ethos of this sentiment, and a serious reading of the treaty is very illustrative of the intentions and means by which the countries are expected to advance the welfare of their peoples. the preamble, as well as annex a, which is the agreement establishing the east caribbean common market, speak volumes regarding the intent and method of implementation. first, the preamble, which states clearly the affirmation to achieve economic and social development for their peoples as enunciated in the agreement establishing the eastern caribbean common market. it offers a strategic approach to critical issues as set out in the following : “ … inspired by a common determination to strengthen the links between themselves by uniting their efforts and resources and establishing and strengthening common institutions which could serve to increase their bargaining power as regards third countries or groups of countries ; … ” it finally expresses a fundamental resolve in the phrase “ … determined to satisfy the legitimate aspirations of their peoples for development and progress ; … ” it is important to note, contrary to some misconceptions, that the oecs treaty is not antagonistic to wider

the economic front? integration is a necessary though not a sufficient condition for attaining our socioeconomic objectives and the current integration model and process, as well as its implementation, must in some way be flawed. in the region we have two integration arrangements operating side by side with common membership. the caricom arrangement encompasses all countries while the oecs is a subset of the wider arrangement. the oecs is however a much deeper arrangement which has been upgraded in the new treaty to be an economic union. the success of the oecs, in my opinion, is a necessary though not a sufficient condition for the success of caricom on two counts. firstly, if the oecs with its much closer and deeper arrangements, which include a common currency, cannot succeed, then the chances for caricom doing so are that much less. secondly, a much more closely coordinated and economically advanced oecs with substantially increased per capita incomes, removes the stigma of being, so to speak, “ poor relations ” and provides more economic opportunities for firms and citizens from the mdcs. already, firms in barbados and trinidad and tobago benefit significantly from doing business in the currency union and this will enhance their prospects. the progress of the oecs should usher in more reciprocal and beneficial commercial relationships between the two polar elements of caricom. how would the oecs achieve this new status? by implementing, as a matter of urgency, the treaty which was ratified on 21st january 2011. this treaty provides the political, economic and administrative framework and architecture for executing the substantial adjustment required to achieve the socioeconomic development of the economies of the member states. the treaty explicitly sets out the framework of a state by identifying the essential elements of such an entity, that is, an executive, a legislature and a judiciary. the real game changer is the legislature, which is selected from the elected members of the national assemblies and, which in the first instance, acts as a filter for legislation in restricted areas to be passed by the executive. this institution secures the participation of two critical actors in the integration process, namely opposition parties and the public. in short, integration will now become an open subject at the national and regional levels and should therefore gain more support. the new arrangements will also establish in effect a dual system of government and governance. at the regional level, there will be supranational and functional cooperation structures while at the national level there will be the national government and local or community