Sep 13
Chapter 9 in Alleyne, Frank; Denny Lewis-Bynoe and Xiomara Arcibald (Eds.) Growth and Development Strategies in the Caribbean. Barbados: Caribbean Development Bank, 2010; 199-218.
The paper discusses economic integration initiatives from the launch of the Caribbean Free Trade Association (CARIFTA) in 1965 to developments in the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) up to 2010. It uses a political economy perspective to discuss characteristics, underlying theories, embedded strategies, implementation problems and economic outcomes; and concludes by outlining a possible research agenda.
Your treatise on the question of economic integration is much needed at this juncture, given the apparent scramble for solutions, without a clear and systematic approach on how best or what model to schematize for implementation; and to go with that, the mode of governance to usher such proposals as well as to sustain the process, to bring about sustainable development for the region and its states.
What I appreciate most about the piece, in its analysis, is the questioning tone it exudes throughout its delineation of the milieu, with the bringing to focus the wider context and motives in situating the up-t-date approach of the region”™s policy-makers.
I truly appreciate your perspective, very structural: as comprehensive as it gets.
Lindon George
Dr. Girvan,
it behooves me to ask you to comment, if you can, as to the soundness and scale of the manufacturing sector throughout the region; perhaps, provide some statistics as well as qualitative analysis on their level of operation, with a mapping of their development at different stages as they would coincide with the various initiatives, including their ownership model(s) which is critical, starting with CARIFTA onwards”¦but really overall. Specifically I could like to know their current capacity to employ people in relation to other sectors and their contribution to the GPDs for the individual countries, which you had delineated in the chapter.
Obviously, economics is vital to any envisaged plan as far as sustainable development, and the integration process underway is case in point ““real economics, if you will. Hence, the particular request that I put forward.
I suspect, with the little I have gathered thus far on the situation with the manufacturing sector in the region, that that is a key area that requires plenty attention in terms of innovations, expansions, and greater diversification, and to even come on stream in the less developed countries, for employment ostensibly is a problematic area in the region”™s affairs. I understand that the sector and the agricultural sector (its complement) simultaneously suffer the blows of Structural Adjustments, with the counterintuitive policies of the World Bank and the IMF to starve/ not protect infant industries, such as dairy production by farmers in Jamaica, for example, making them highly vulnerable to unfair completion from imports.
Manufacturing is a critical and sensitive topic, given the Caribbean”™s legacy with respect to the metropolitan countries. Have we done ample work to seriously affect the pre-established equation whereby we are dissuaded to convert our bauxite, cocoa and other resources from raw materials to goods, is essentially the question that I am posing. And if not, why more of the focus from governmental apparatuses whether via Caricom or individual governments is not aligned with entrepreneurs to give the region”™s population this flooring, and to be the first phase of the integration of our markets and economies?
Such move, no doubt, in my mind, has to be at the forefront of the venture, especially with the intended mixing of the more developed countries, with their larger populations and greater social concerns, with the lesser developed countries, with their more stable currency vis-Ã -vis their common currency (the E.C)and milder social concerns. The level of uneasiness among the respective populations and thus the hesitations experienced with the progression of Caricom”™s implementation plans is reflective of the current dynamic that can only be addressed with economic measures and economic results.
I would like for us (on here) to explore that dimension more.
Lindon George
Lindon–one of our readers may wish to provide you with a bibliography on this subject. There is extensive material–you could start with Dennis Pantin’s Reader in Caribbean Economy, a huge collection of edited papers; and the book by Dillon Alleyne and another author.
Norman