WESTERN BUREAU – The Caricom Single Market and Economy Unit in Barbados is yet to secure the US$36 million required for implementation of the CSME, but programme co-ordinator Ivor Caryll was confident that the funds would be raised.

“We have been discussing the matter with the donor community and there is substantial help coming; so I am confident that we will achieve that target soon,” said Caryll, speaking at a forum in Negril on the CSME.

He argued that for the CSME to be implemented, US$13 million would be required this year while the balance would not be needed until 2005.

The funds, Caryll said, are needed mainly to implement technical programmes, including legislative draftings, policy refinements and building institutions such as the competition commission and the regional accreditation body.

Over the past few years, the CSME Secretariat has been having discussions with the European Union, the United States Agency for International Development and the Inter-American Development Bank, in an effort to secure capital support for the establishment of the programme.

Head of the Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery, Ambassador Richard Bernal, had warned at a regional conference that the lack of funds could derail the implementation of the CSME.