Above: Jamaican Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller

By the Caribbean Journal staff

For CARICOM to remain static “is not an option at this time,” according to Jamaican Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller, who returned to the country this week following the CARICOM Heads of Government meeting in Paramaribo.

“Orderly and directed change with a clear vision should never be feared,” she said, noting that a the Caribbean Community’s integration movement needed a people-centred approach and a redoubling of efforts to promote CARICOM among the people of the region.

Simpson Miller has been promoting Caribbean integration since returning to office at the end of December, in particular calling for strengthened intra-regional trade.

According to the Prime Minister, there is an urgent need for swift movement in strengthening the CARICOM Secretariat’s capacity to promote, monitor and evaluate the implementation process.

She also weighed in on the current dispute in West Indies Cricket, calling for an immediate resolution.

Simpson Miller held bilateral talks with Trinidad Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Chilean President Sebastian Pinera Echenique during the meeting.