Parliament's Role in Caribbean Regional Economic Integration‪.‬

Today a group of small states in the Caribbean find themselves in what is arguably the most critical juncture of their economic and political life. These members of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) stand on the threshold of establishing the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), the symbol and the embodiment of regional integration. This paper will focus on the experience of these countries some of which rank among the smallest in terms of their share of the international market and in terms of physical size. The paper will trace CARICOM's economic integration efforts to date. It will argue that integration relies for its validity on the relationship that governments are able to develop with their people; that economic integration per se is not a viable goal; that a people-centric approach to integration gives it essence, ownership and longevity. Finally, it will con tend that if Parliaments are themselves to remain relevant, their role in the economic integration process must undergo transformation in tandem with and responsive to the realities of the people and regions they serve. **********