Linda Hutchinson-Jafar, Business Writer
Bruce Golding has pledged his administration's commitment to Caricom and regionalism. - File
Trinidad last week sat up and took notice of the change of administration in Jamaica, its largest regional trading partner, with one central theme running through the commentary - concerns about Bruce Golding's Caribbean commitment.
Newspapers have editorialised on the challenges facing Golding, who was sworn in as Jamaica's eighth Prime Minister yesterday, questioning his party's stance on Caricom integration given the Jamaica Labour Party's (JLP) historical lukewarm stance on regionalism.
The JLP's manifesto pledged support to Caricom and regional integration but was otherwise vague on the issue, containing mention of the bloc to six lines.
"We will use our membership and influence within Caricom and the CSME to exploit their real potential," said the document, "that is, to combine our energies and resources as individual states to secure investments, create jobs, increase exports to third countries and improve living standards within the region."
The Trinidad Guardian, in a hopeful note, said on the day after the JLP victory that very little separates the macroeconomic policies of the two major parties in Jamaica.
"This should mean that it will be business as usual ... "
Bruce's scepticism to the Caribbean
But the newspaper, which is owned by the ANSA McAL group, also said many Jamaica watchers in Trinidad and Tobago expect the JLP to fall back on its traditional stance of "scepticism to most things Caribbean, including the large investments that T&T companies have made in Jamaica".
Jamaica is Trinidad's largest Caricom market, and Trinidadian companies such as RBTT Financial, Trinidad Cement, Bermudez, Guardian Holdings and SM Jaleel have been well entrenched in Jamaica for years.
"In the event of a change of government in Jamaica, the new ruling party may need to be restrained by those who see the region's future as being towards closer regional integration rather than seeking economic ties and relationships with extra-Caribbean countries," the paper editorialised.
It further suggested that this week's Caricom health meeting on September 15 would both be Golding's chance to signal his administration's call on integration and a test of whether his foreign policy stance will be any different from the JLP of the 1980s when Edward Seaga was premiere.
"One expects that as soon as the results are official, Caricom governments would warmly welcome Mr. Golding into the fold. The scheduled health summit in Port-of-Spain next week could be the first meeting of Mr. Golding with his Caricom colleagues and an indication of his government's commitment to regionalism," the Trinidad Guardian wrote.
The Trinidad Express newspaper noted the congratulations and pledges of support to the JLP from interests inside and outside of Jamaica.
"So there appears to be much that the party can count on in its quest to lift the quality of life, particularly for the so-far institutionalised poor," it said.
"At the same time, however, Mr. Golding should do nothing to shake the confidence of the rest of this region about Jamaica's continued commitment to regional integration, not least that of Trinidad and Tobago for whom it is a most important trading partner."
Noting the JLP's promises to Jamaicans including free medical care and free tuition up to the secondary level, the paper said if his party and government can indeed find the means by which to deliver on these and other promises, they will benefit the mass of the people across the political divide that remains a part of the country's vibrant political and social life.
"To be true to his commitment about not betraying the trust of the people, and about putting aside any of the divisions which may have developed over the course of his long march to government, Mr. Golding must move swiftly, but with caution," it said.
Trinidad and Tobago enjoys a large trade surplus with Jamaica, which on average exceeds US$300 million per annum.
The twin island republic is Jamaica's third largest source of imports, accounting in 2004 for 8.3 per cent of all goods sold to Jamaica.
On the other hand, Jamaica is the largest Caricom market for goods from Trinidad and Tobago, with approximately one third of all exports going to Jamaica in 2005: 40 per cent food, and 60 per cent petroleum-based products, mostly refined gasolene for the transportation sector.
As a symbol of the importance Jamaica attaches to Trinidad and Tobago, out-going Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller made Port-of-Spain her first official visit outside her country when she was appointed to head the government in March 2006 after then leader, P.J. Patterson retired from public office.
business@gleanerjm.com
