New relationship between OECS, Martinique has potential

THE possibility exists for deeper co-operation between Barbados, Martinique and the rest of the Caribbean now that the French territory is an Associate member of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).

 

Professor Jessica Byron of the University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica, is firmly of this view as she discussed the new relationship between the small island states of the Caribbean and the French-speaking territory.

 

“I think there should ultimately be opportunities for deeper co-operation between Martinique and the OECS and for the rest of the Caribbean,” she said. She was among the several academics and other officials making presentations at the just ended 17th annual con-ference of the Sir Arthur Lewis Institute of Social and Economic Studies (SALISES).

 

Dr. Byron believes that the relationship should also be an “interesting model for the rest of the Caribbean to observe and emulate at a later point, 

in terms of deepening co-operation”.

 

She told The Barbados Advocate that this historic development occurred last year when in 2015, there was an accession ceremony that gave new meaning to the ties between Martinique and the OECS. Martinique has gradually been reaching out to the other Caribbean states and it is known that there is some collaboration already in place with Barbados.

 

In addition, Barbados has sent a trade mission to Martinique in the hope of boosting exports.

 

She said that trade is minimal between the two partners, although Martinique has a trade surplus with the OECS. Both Martinique and Guadeloupe are seen by the Caribbean as a gateway to get goods and services into the European Union market, although that won’t be easy.

 

One of the areas cited for co-operation concerns linguistics and cultural co-operation, and quite a lot of emphasis is being placed on developing such programmes.

 

“So yes it is obviously a challenge, but not an insurmountable one, if people are prepared to put human and financial resources into addressing it. In the end, the countries involved will have a lot to gain because the Caribbean is multilingual to start with,” the Professor said. (JB)