KINGSTON, Jamaica — Prime Minister Andrew Holness this afternoon launched the Caricom Review Commission at Jamaica House, saying the review is about strengthening Jamaica’s position within the regional integration process.

The commission’s first meeting will be on Tuesday, July 5 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade.

Holness said in his address: “We cannot preempt what the commission will say, but it was never the intention to lay any groundwork or chart any path out of Caricom.

“This is about strengthening Jamaica’s position within the regional integration process, which is absolutely important for Jamaica’s economic growth and development for the next 50 years,” he said.

The commission will, among other things, evaluate the effects that Jamaica’s participation in Caricom has on its economic growth and development; analyse Caricom’s performance against the goals and objectives outlined in the revised Treaty of Chaguaramas and to identify the causes of the shortcomings; assess the value of Jamaica’s membership in Caricom on its influence in critical international fora and with third state trade and development partners; and assess whether the Caricom dispute settlement provisions provide realistic options for settlement of disputes for Jamaica.

The commission will chairman is former Prime Minister Bruce Golding.

Comprising members from a wide cross-section including the private sector, academia, business, finance and trade unions, the commission will be chaired by former Prime Minister Bruce Golding.

The Commission is expected to carry out its work and submit a final report within six months.