By the Caribbean Journal staff

The involvement and commitment of the private sector are “essential” to achieving the Caribbean Community’s growth and development agenda, according to CARICOM Secretary General Ambassador Irwin LaRocque.

LaRocque made the address speaking to the Annual Awards Ceremony of the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association in Georgetown last week.

“As members of the private sector, you are key players in the drive towards increased prosperity for the people of this country, and this Region,” he told the audience.

LaRocque referred to an earlier proposal to create a Caribbean Business Council to interact with CARICOM councils, but that body has not yet been created.

“In the meantime, I proposed and the Ministers agreed, that the COTED will engage the CAIC pending the creation of the CBC,” he said. “The Secretariat and Caribbean Export will work with the private sector to facilitate the realization of the CBC.”

He also said CARICOM was committed to improving the issue of the ease of doing business within the Caribbean.

“We recognize the need to improve the Doing Business Environment in the Community, and align it with international best practices,” he said. “within the CSME.  To put it simply, an enterprise operating in the CSME should be faced with the same regulations, wherever their business is conducted.  That will make doing business easier. It is all about creating a single space.”