Feb 16, 2017 Last Updated 8:53 PM, Feb 15, 2017

The CAPS - What are the benefits?

  • Feb 16, 2017
  • Published in CAPS

CAPS will also contribute to improving access to CSM rights as a result of factors such as the following:

  1. Member States are using a standardized, harmonized and  streamlined approach in receiving applications from and issuing certificates to CARICOM Nationals who wish to move within the Region to access their rights:
    1. Skilled Nationals
    2. Service Providers
    3. Business people (under the Right of Establishment)
  2. Online application process leading to Improved Access - from anywhere in the world at anytime
  3. Improved and more efficient processing and approval of applications for certificates of recognition as skilled nationals and service providers as well as reduce the burden on scarce human resources, as the review of applications can be done fully online;
    1. Electronic processing rather than manual
    2. Virtual meetings for Free Movement Committee (approvers)
    3. Electronic signature
    4. Online payments
  4. Easier procedures at Ports of Entry
    1. Standardized certificate
    2. Information in CAPS accessible to Immigration Officers
  5. System can Provide Information on Certificate Holders
    1. Skilled Nationals can opt to be visible to regional employers
    2. Service Providers can opt to be visible
  6. Central Repository of Information on CSM regimes that can be accessed by
    1. CCS
    2. Governments of Member States
    3. Academia
    4. Media
    5. Investors
  7. Provide the Community and Member States with improved capability to collect and capture reliable data on the five Core CSME regimes, such as the number of applications for recognition of skilled nationals by nationality or by country granting such recognition; this will lead to the collection of much needed factual information on which to formulate/develop policy and take decisions;
  8. Create/strengthen e-government systems. It communicates that Governments are responding to the current needs to move their operations and administrative processes into a virtual environment.

There is a large cadre of persons trained around the Region who can utilize, train and promote CAPS and in so doing promote the CSM.

Training was conducted under the auspices of the CTCP under Component 100 and 300 (Information Flows).

Component 100 focuses on the standardization and harmonization of the Single Market administrative practices and Procedures while Information Flows is concerned with the strengthening of existing channels of Information Flows on the CSME.

Around 200 persons within the CARICOM region were trained to appropriately and accurately represent CARICOM and its goals and achievements in their day-to-day areas of concern.  The training focused on the following Territories:

  • Jamaica
  • Dominica

"community must take rightful place in int’l trade blocs"

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE gaps that exist between media practitioners and their audiences concerning education on the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), as well as the need for clarity on the subject matter, are two of the driving forces behind a two-day workshop being held at the St. Kitts Marriott.

 

The workshop is being held under the auspices of the CARICOM Secretariat CSME Unit as part of its CARICOM Trade and Competitiveness Project, which seeks to ensure that better and more opportunities are provided for the people of CARICOM and also benefitting from the CSME.
 
The interactive sessions brought the participating media personnel up to speed on developments within the CSME framework, stimulated thought on the way CSME-related issues are being reported or why they are not being reported and even encouraged introspection relative to personal branding.
 
Communications Specialist at the CARICOM Secretariat CSME Unit, Salas Hamilton explained to this publication that one of the legs of the CTCP is ensuring that stakeholders could participate in and understand the CSME, which is why media practitioners are among those being focused on during this exercise.
 

Our partners in media interaction responded well to the Social Media training.  Join the conversation by tweeting #csmeconvos.

This engagement is part of the media training and spokesperson training under component 300 of the CARICOM Trade and Competitiveness Project.

The CARICOM Secretariat, via the CSME Unit, is currently executing the project Students Engaging the CSME through Field Promotion.  

This project entails training youths to identify and develop responses to CSME opportunities.

The objective is to engage the next generation in identifying career possibilities with regard to wage employment, self-employment and starting a business in the CSME.  

This project was first initiated in 2008 and lasted until 2009, with the assistance of the 9th European Development Fund (EDF) Caribbean Integration Support Programme (CISP). Some two hundred and eight three CARICOM university and college students were mobilized and trained in the field, on how to identify and develop a response to CSME opportunities.

For 2015, the objective of this project is to engage the next generation in identifying career opportunities in the field with regard to wage employment, self employment and starting a business within the CSME.   The project is an activity of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat CSME Public Education Programme facilitated with the 10th EDF CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) Economic Integration Programme (EIP). A series of engagements will be arranged, inter alia, with the Ministries/ Departments responsible for Labour, Commerce, and Immigration and for the local issuing of CARICOM Skills Certificates. In addition, companies such as the local stock exchange, the central bank, a regional service company and a large regional financial institution will also be visited and their senior personnel engaged in discussion.

For this phase of the 2015 Student Missions, a lecturer and a CARICOM Youth Ambassador (CYA) will accompany the students in addition to the Focal Point of the sending country and CARICOM Secretariat staff. Ideally, the lecturer will be responsible for Caribbean Studies from one of the institutions the students attend, while the CYA will be chosen by the Member State.

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