Dear Editor,
The last time I checked, which happened to be five minutes ago, Jamaica was located approximately 1,900 km from Trinidad. This is relatively very close in the global landscape. It is for that reason we have have a Caribbean community based on our close proximity with member countries.
Caricom stands for Caribbean Community and Common Market and is an organisation made up of 15 Caribbean nations to promote economic integration among members. I was rather disturbed with the recent incident, wherein Trinidad appeared to be viewing Jamaicans as tenement yard visitors wanting to enter their prestigious community.
Community law is clear and specific, wherein it calls for free movement of nationals within the community, and supersedes national law in so far as it stands to the best interest and agreed purpose of the respective community.
I hasten to say that we must be careful how we present the facts of a situation without hearing the full accounts of both parties. What were the reasons behind the Trinidad authority’s decisions? This has long been a sensitive issue over the years between both countries; as such I really think that the authorities would be very cautious and prudent, rather than being puerile in their regional decisions.
Trinidad and Jamaica are two of the major countries in the region and there really is no need for a trade war. The Jamaican market is Trinidad’s preferred platinum card client. It stands to reason that, just like any successful private company, you want to woo and give special treatment to these clients.
Let us meet at the table and not conflate the issues, remembering that both countries have a vested interest in the development of the region.
Richard Longmore
General Manager
Jamaica Racing Commission
rlongmore@jrc.gov.jm
The last time I checked, which happened to be five minutes ago, Jamaica was located approximately 1,900 km from Trinidad. This is relatively very close in the global landscape. It is for that reason we have have a Caribbean community based on our close proximity with member countries.
Caricom stands for Caribbean Community and Common Market and is an organisation made up of 15 Caribbean nations to promote economic integration among members. I was rather disturbed with the recent incident, wherein Trinidad appeared to be viewing Jamaicans as tenement yard visitors wanting to enter their prestigious community.
Community law is clear and specific, wherein it calls for free movement of nationals within the community, and supersedes national law in so far as it stands to the best interest and agreed purpose of the respective community.
I hasten to say that we must be careful how we present the facts of a situation without hearing the full accounts of both parties. What were the reasons behind the Trinidad authority’s decisions? This has long been a sensitive issue over the years between both countries; as such I really think that the authorities would be very cautious and prudent, rather than being puerile in their regional decisions.
Trinidad and Jamaica are two of the major countries in the region and there really is no need for a trade war. The Jamaican market is Trinidad’s preferred platinum card client. It stands to reason that, just like any successful private company, you want to woo and give special treatment to these clients.
Let us meet at the table and not conflate the issues, remembering that both countries have a vested interest in the development of the region.
Richard Longmore
General Manager
Jamaica Racing Commission
rlongmore@jrc.gov.jm