ROSE HALL, St James — President of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) Metry Seaga has called on regional leaders to take the bold steps needed to make it easier to do business within the Caribbean.

“We fully support the goals of the Caricom Single Market and Economy. But those goals need action. We need to tear down non-tariff barriers that make trade between our islands harder than with countries thousands of miles away. Let’s simplify the protocols. Let’s make it easier to do business across our respective borders. We have the talent, the creativity, the natural resources — and with the right framework, we can finally compete on a global scale,” Seaga said.

He was speaking Tuesday during a Business Forum Breakfast co-hosted by the PSOJ and the Caribbean Private Sector Organisation (CPSO), part of activities that made up the 49th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community. The breakfast was held at Sandals Montego Bay on the last day of the conference, which ran from July 6 to 8.

“To our Heads of Government here today, we need bold leadership. Now, more than ever, [we need] policies that reduce the cost of doing business, foster innovation, and attract the kind of investment that builds jobs and exports. We don’t need more red tape. We need action: practical, pragmatic decisions that will unlock our regional potential,” Seaga urged.

He insisted that the private sector is ready to play its part, but the hurdles now in the way must be removed.

“Let me be clear, the private sector is ready to step up, but we need the right conditions to do so. That means harmonised regulations. It means clearing the bottlenecks at the ports. It means a customs system that’s efficient and digital, not slow and paper-based. And yes, it means modern infrastructure: logistics, energy, and technology that can support real growth,” he hammered home.

In response to tariffs imposed by American President Donald Trump earlier this year, the PSOJ has pointed to the need to take a closer look at trade opportunities within the region. It is a position Seaga reiterated during Tuesday’s breakfast.

“We are here today because we all share one common truth: the Caribbean nations cannot afford to keep battling alone. In a world of shifting alliances and rising protectionism, our success — our survival — depends on how well we work together. Regional integration isn’t just a lofty ideal anymore. It’s a necessity. Not just for governments — for business, for jobs, and for the quality of life that we all want to secure for future generations,” he said.

“We need to look to each other more. Businesses must start seeing regional neighbours as partners — not just competitors. Whether it’s a Jamaican manufacturer teaming up with a Bajan distributor, or a St Lucian tech firm building solutions with a Trinidadian developer, these are the kinds of linkages that drive regional value chains. We’ve seen it work in other trading blocs and we too must make it work,” Seaga urged.

He expressed confidence in the strength of Caribbean people and the private sector’s readiness to work together, adding that if they leave with concrete commitments rather than just discussions, real progress can be achieved.

“The PSOJ is all in on regional integration. We’re ready to do the work. And I look forward to the conversations that will follow today,” he declared.