The 15-nation Caribbean Community (CARICOM) will consider a possible free trade agreement with the U.S., officials said on Tuesday.
CARICOM has said it intended to approach the U.S. for a free trade deal after Central American countries and the Dominican Republic signed such a pact with the U.S. last year, said Richard Bernal, director general of the Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery.
Bernal said a committee recommended all member states “move as quickly as possible … so that the region can take a decision on whether to approach the United States or not for a free trade agreement.”
He said the Caribbean would have much to gain because the U.S. already is the region’s largest trading partner.
The summit, which marks Caricom’s 25th anniversary, ended yesterday. Leaders also discussed energy issues, Venezuela’s bid for a seat on the U.N. Security Council, the migration of skilled workers and rising crime in the Caribbean’s tourist-dependent islands.
