CARIBBEAN INSTITUTIONS

INSTITUTION

WHEN
ESTABLISH
ED

MEMBER COUNTRIES

MAJOR ROLE/ FUNCTIONS

ACHIEVEMENTS/ ADVANTAGES

CHALLENGES

World Trade
Organisation (WTO)

1995
(GATT)

154

Oversees rules of international trade. Forum for seTrade liberalization. Lower cost of
living. Trade dispute handled
constructively. Promotes peace
among nations.

Criticism & protests over unfair trading practices. Bias

towards first world countries. Policies tend to support
multi-nationals.

International
World Bank
Monetary Fund (IMF)

1945
Formerly
IBRD

188
187

Promoting
globalofmonetary
exchange
The
major roles
the Worldand
Bank
are to prevent Access to information on economic
stability.
expansion
and balanced policies of all member countries.
fraud
andFacilitating
corruptionthe
within
Bank-financed
growth ofto
international.
Assisting
in the Bank
Opportunities to influence members'
projects,
help countries
that request
establishment
a multilateral
system
of
economic policies. Access to
support in theirofefforts
to reduce
corruption,
to
payments
for current
technical assistance in banking, fiscal
take
corruption
more transactions.
explicitly into account in
affairs and exchange matters.
country assistance strategies, country lending
Financial support int times of
considerations, the policy dialogue, analytical
work, and the choice and design of projects and payment difficulties. Increased
to add voice and support to international efforts to opportunity for trade and investment.
reduce corruption. With a general increase in the
World Bank, their advantages include lending
operations, term loans and loans for
reconstruction. As if that isnt enough, the Bank
has implemented the effective Traditional
Development Loans Policy and New Loan
Strategy. While the bank has earned the respect
of some countries, it has been severely criticized
by others as a tool of western imperialism. The
Bank has also been accused of having a US
bias.

Institution tool
is nooflonger
fulfilling
its functions
there
Criticismwestern
imperialism
Trade and
Lib &
glob.is
no clear vision
any newBank
functions
It is not
Benefits
richer of
countries.
has afor
USit.bias.
receiving enough revenue to cover its operating
costs.The IMF has not played a global role in the dabate
about global imbalances(even though this issue is at the
heart of its institutional remit). It is suffering a crisis of
legitimacy, with its power structure questioned by many
members. There is a lack of confidence inits intellectual
orientation and the quality of its policy recommendations.

West Indian
Federation (WIF)

CARIFTA

1962

Antigua and Barbuda,St Lucia,St The aim of establishing a political union among
Vincent, Jamaica, Trinidad and its members
Tobago,
Montserrat,Barbados,Grenada,
Dominica, St Kitts-NevisAnguilla (as it was then) and with
British Guiana and British
Honduras as associated
territories.

creation of a federal
civil service, establishment of
the West Indies Shipping
Service to operate two
multipurpose ships - the Federal
Maple
and the Federal Palm donated to it by the Government of
Canada, and
the establishment of the
University College of the West
Indies.

1968 Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, 1) promote the expansion and diversification of Fair competition
Barbados, British Guiana,
trade; 2) ensure that trade took place between
Antigua and Barbuda
the member states in conditions of fair
competition;3) encourage the progressive
development of the member economies; and, 4)
foster the harmonious development of Caribbean
trade and its liberalization by the removal of
barriers.

Although a plan for a Customs Union was drawn up,

emphasis was not placed on the economic
aspect of Federation during the
four years of its existence. Economically, the
Region remained as
it had been for centuries, and not even free
trade was introduced
between the member countries during this
period.Although a plan for a Customs Union was drawn
up,
emphasis was not placed on the economic
aspect of Federation during the
four years of its existence. Economically, the
Region remained as
it had been for centuries, and not even free
trade was introduced
between the member countries during this
period.

1.did not provide for the free movement of labour and

capitalvor the coordination of agricultural, industrial and
foreign policies

Caribbean
Community and
Common Market
(CARICOM)

1973

Antigua and Barbuda, The

Bahamas, Barbados, Belize,
Dominca, Grenada, Guyana,
Haiti, Jamaici, Montserrat, St.
Lucia, St. Kitts, St. Vincent & the
Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad
and Tobago

1. UN Comvention against transitional organized 1.Federation facilitated the

1.The masses were not educated on the importance of
crime. 2. Protocol to prevent. suppress and
movement from colonialism to
Federation. 2.Communication among the islands
punish traficking in persons. 3.Protocol against
independence through a united voice. including shipping, telephone and postal services was
the smuggling of migrants by land air and sea. 4. 2.The coming together of small
inefficient. 3.Envy and jealously among member states
Protocol against the illicit manufactoring of and
states strengthened their
from their varying levels of economic prosperity.
trafficking in firearms, their parts and components effectiveness in dealing with
4.Distrust by the smaller states of the larger members
and ammunition. 5. Convention of psychotropic international bodies such as the
(TrinidadandTobago,Jamaica) proposal to prematurely
substances. 6. Convention on narcotics drugs. 7. United Nations.
change the constitution of the Federation.
UN convention against illicit traffic in narcotic
drugs and psychotropic substances. 8.
Suppression of the traffic in persons and of the
exploitation of the prostitutions of others. 9.
Supression of terrorist bombing. 10. Suppression
of terrorist bombing. 11. Suppression of the
financing of terrorism. 12. Rights of the child on
the involvement of children in armed conflict. 13.
Rights of the child on the sale of children, child
prostitution and child pornography. 14. Prevention
and punishment of crimes against internationally
protected persons including diplomatic agents.
15. Convention against the taking of hostages

OECS

1981

9- The independent countries of

Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica,
Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, St.
Lucia and St. Vincent and the
Grenadines; as well as the
British Overseas Countries and
Territories of Anguilla, the British
Virgin Islands and Montserrat.

is an inter-governmental organisation dedicated

to economic harmonisation and integration,
protection of human and legal rights, and the
encouragement of good governance between
countries and dependencies in the Eastern
Caribbean. It also performs the role of spreading
responsibility and liability in the event of natural
disaster, such as a hurricane.

The development of a trade data

base for negotiating purposes.
establish a stable and functioning
monetary union. achieved a single
currency, a central bank, a single
judical system, and a joint civil
aviation authority, as well as various
initiatives in education, health and
environment.

The OECS functions in a rapidly changing international

economic environment, characterised by globalisation
and trade liberalisation, which are posing serious
challenges to the economic and social stability of these
small island developing states.

ACS

UWI
CXC

WICB

24th July,
1994 in
Cartagena
de Indias,
Colombia.

1972

25:- Antigua and Barbuda,

To promote the strengthening of regional
Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, economic cooperation, to encourage a
Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, coordinated approach to important issues of
Dominica, Dominican Republic, trade, tourism,transportation, health, science and
El Salvador, Grenada,
technology, education, culture and environmental
Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti,
protection (preserving the Caribbean Sea and
Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, natural resources and protecting against natural
Nicaragua, Panama, St. Kitts disasters) and promoting sustainable
and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent development.
and the Grenadines, Suriname,
Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela,
associated member states and
observer states

Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda,

Barbados, Belize, British Virgin
Islands, Cayman
Islands, Dominica, Grenada,
Guyana, Jamaica, Montserrat,
St Kitts and Nevis,
Saint Lucia, St Vincent and the
Grenadines, Trinidad and
Tobago, Turks and
Caicos Islands.

1) provide regionally and internationally

recognised secondary school leaving
examinations relevant to the needs of the
Region 2)assist in Common Entrance and other
types of examinations 3) produce teaching
materials and train teachers to use the CXC
syllabi 4) advise regional governments on
Education matters.

The signing of the Free Trade Treaties among Central

America, Dominican Republic and the United Srates,
important in bringing the sub-regions together pull them
further away from the Caribbean. Venezuelan
PETROCARIBE and Bolivarian Alternative for the
Americas ALBA opposed to American policies and
initiatives such as the FTTA, have resulted in divisions
within the region. Activities of ACS is hindered by its
dependence on political and financial will of the
governments of the member countries who are slowly
loosing interest.

Examinations offered in more than 20

subjects for both CSEC and CAPE.
Exams sat under CXC are
internationally recognised &
accredited. Over half a million
candidates sit exams under CXC per
year. Recognition of outstanding
students sitting CXC examinations,
and scholarship opportunities now
available to students writing these
exams

Internationalization of exam systems - eg. SATs are

becoming more popular, leading to a decrease in the
number of candidates entering Form 6 to be examined
by CAPE. Investements made by CXC in maintaining &
developing CAPE may not bring expected returns unless
they become competitive. Solution: A distance market to
target potential exam candidates outside of the Form 6
body. Use of ICTs to allow distance learning and greater
accessibility of tuition

Caribbean Tourism
1989 with
Antigua and
The CTO was formed for the development of
Organisation (CTO) joining of the Barbuda,Bahamas,Barbados,Bel sustainable tourism for the economic and social
Caribbean ize,Cuba,Dominica,Dominican benefit of Caribbean people.
Tourism
Republic,French overseas
Association departments:Guadeloupe,Martini
(founded in
que,Saint Barthelemy,Saint
1951) and Martin,Grenada,Guyana,Haiti,Ja
the
maica,Kingdom of the
Caribbean Netherlands:Aruba,Bonaire,Cura
Tourism
ao,Sint Eustatius,Sint
Research
Maarten,Saint Kitts and
and
Nevis,Saint Lucia,Saint Vincent
Developmen
& the
t Center Grenadines,Suriname,Trinidad &
(founded in
Tobago,British overseas
1974)
territories:,Anguilla,Bermuda,Brit
ish Virgin Islands,Cayman
Islands,Montserrat,Turks &
Caicos Islands,United States
territories:Puerto Rico,U.S.
Virgin Islands,Venezuela

CSME
RSS Regional
Security System
http://www.rss.bb/

CARIFORUM
EPA
CARIMAC

1982

8th October,
2008

Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, is an international agreement for the defence and
Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts security of the eastern Caribbean region. The
and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint RSS was created out of a need for collective
Vincent and the Grenadines response to security threats, which were
impacting on the stability of the region.The
signatories agreed to prepare contingency plans
and assist one another, on request, in national
emergencies, prevention of smuggling, search
and rescue, immigration control, fishery
protection, customs and excise control, maritime
policing duties, protection of off-shore
installations, pollution control, national and other
disasters and threats to national security

a memorandum of understanding
was signed between Barbados, St.
Lucia, Dominica, Antigua, Barbuda,
St. Vincent and the Grenadines. As of
2001, the RSS cooperates with the
CARICOM Regional Task Force on
Crime and Security (CRTFCS)

Caribbean
Development Bank
(CDB)

October 18,
26- Anguilla, Antigua and
to assist in borrowing member countries to
1969, in Barbuda,Barbados,Belize,British optimise the use of their resources, develop their
Kingston,
Virgin Islands,Cayman
economies and expand production and trade,to
Jamaica Islands,Dominica,Grenada,Guya
promote private and public investment,
na,Haiti,Jamaica,Montserrat,St
encourage the development of the financial
Kitts and Nevis,St Lucia,St
upturn in the region and facilitate business
Vincent and the Grenadines,The
activity and expansion
Bahamas,Trinidad and
to mobilise financial resources from both within
Tobago,Turks and Caicos
and outside the region for development,
Islands, Colombia,Mexico,
to provide technical assistance to its regional
Canada,China,Germany,Italy,Uni
borrowing members,
ted Kingdom,Venezuela
to support regional and local financial institutions
and a regional market for credit and savings,
to support and stimulate the development of
capital markets in the region.

In 2010 and 2011, with the support of

Canada and other donors, the CDB
helped:
Build or upgrade 470 classrooms and
train more than 1,330 teachers,
benefitting more than 55,000
students in the region
Achieve 90 percent primary school
enrolment for girls and boys in the
region
Irrigate and improve more than 4,200
hectares of land
Design rural enterprise credit
programs to increase agricultural
productivity, marketing, and
community-level enterprise
development, benefitting 2,280
people
Build or improve 1,897 kilometres of
roads, benefitting more than 88,000
people
Provide more than 16,000
households with access to water and
sanitation systems