THE FORMAL function to launch the CARICOM Single Market (CSM) takes place today at the Mona Visitors' Lodge, University of the West Indies.
Ten regional Heads of Govern-ment have confirmed their attendance for today's historic signing at the function which is set to start at 4:00 p.m.
The symbolic signing will see six member-states of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) - Barbados, Belize, Guyana, Jamaica, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago - signing a declaration formalising their entry into the CSM.
On January 1, those states became the first CARICOM countries to enter the Single Market, which provides for, among other things, the free movement of certain skilled workers.
The remaining member states are expected to join by the end of March this year. They are: Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
During today's inauguration ceremony, their Heads of Government will sign a declaration stating their intentions to join the CSM by the end of the first quarter of the year.
Several dignitaries including Governor-General, Sir Howard Cooke, the Director General of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States, Dr. Len Ishmael, Caribbean Court of Justice President, Michael de La Batisde and regional foreign ministers are also expected to attend.
OPPOSITION LEADERS MEETING
Meanwhile, a small committee of parliamentary regional Opposition Leaders including Jamaica's Opposition Leader, Bruce Golding will hold talks with CARICOM officials today.
The committee was formed during last year's historic meeting of regional Heads of Government and parliamentary Opposition Leaders in the run-up to the CARICOM summit in St Lucia.
The talks with CARICOM officials will focus on single market matters, strengthening the Assembly of Caribbean Community of Parliamentarians and financial resources for the office of the Leader of the Opposition.
Also on the agenda for discussion is the nature of future relationships between national parties.
HEADS OF GOVERNMENT ATTENDING CSM LAUNCH
Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Baldwin Spencer.
Prime Minister of Barbados, Owen Arthur.
Prime Minister of Dominica, Roosevelt Skerrit.
Prime Minister of Guyana, Samuel Hinds.
Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr. Denzil Douglas.
Prime Minister of St. Lucia, Dr. Kenny Anthony.
Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves.
Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Patrick Manning.
Prime Minister of Jamaica, P.J. Patterson.
President of Suriname, Ronald Runaldo Venetiaan.
