Today, Caribbean leaders must consider a new Drumblair, a new house. The CARICOM integration model birthed in August 1973 by the leaders of the then four independent countries – Dr. Eric Williams, Michael Manley, Errol Barrow and Forbes Burnham – as a consolation prize to the Federation has survived for more than 40 years. This is a significant achievement.
In my respectful view, however, the CARICOM model which seeks to connect our small island states through trade and markets, has reached its limits.