I was travelling overseas but took time to scan the home news and discovered that on October 1 four regional Caribbean nations became trendsetters by opening up their borders for free regional integration and trade amongst themselves.

Barbados, Belize, Dominica, as well as St Vincent and the Grenadines deserve a standing ovation for taking the lead in something that Caricom should have long been engaged. I was disappointed not to see Jamaica as part of this pact. I see this interchange, without the need for visa and work permits, as a giant leap in skills and talent sharing. This will certainly provide reciprocal benefits in especially areas of education, health care, agriculture, construction, IT, and cultural diversity.

With proper guard rails I think this is going to augur well for these nations. With our ability to supply a variety of skills to the world Jamaica could also significantly benefit from cross-culturalism. Hop on to this train, Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness, so that our country can learn that we are stronger together as a region. The West Indian Federation failed us and Caricom has disappointed us. It’s time to come together as a region.

I believe that working together and embracing integration can foster economic growth, cultural exchange, and peace. This is a fantastic concept and an inspiration for regional cooperation. The message now more than ever should be preached from sundry platforms that we need regional cohesiveness.

While most of the G8 countries are experiencing disintegration, Caricom should take the lead in promoting and practising integration. Look at what is happening in our back yard, the Big Beautiful Bill has become ugly and tariffs are paralysing international trade. Jamaica and and other Caribbean nations should become a united force and teach the USA a few lessons on integration in the midst of its disintegration policies and practices.

An area that could benefit significantly from integration is education. Prioritising education is crucial as it can be the vehicle that empowers citizens with knowledge, critical thinking skills, and a broader understanding of the body politic.

United we can help build a more civil, informed, tolerant, and engaged society. If our small nations bond together and work towards a common goal it can lead to significant progress, positive change, more resilient communities, greater civic engagement, and cooperation. This could hep greatly in alleviating the shortage of teachers and nurses as well as skills in the areas of engineering, science, and technology in the region.

Dr Everton Ennis, an outstanding academic and cleric, posits that Caricom citizens should be free to move among all Caricom countries and should no longer be seen as foreigners, but “out of many one region”.

I wholeheartedly embrace this concept, especially in light of the USA ramping up restrictions and carrying out mass deportations to get rid of our migrants who have toiled hard to make America great always.

Its time for Caricom to unite and show the rest of the world that united we stand, but divided we fossilise.

blpprob @aol.com

Dr Andrew Holness (Photo: Naphtali Junior)