Golding bats for regional trade rules

Prime Minister Bruce Golding has emphasised the need for a proper framework for rules governing trade in the region.



The trade issue which is a source of discontent among some CARICOM countries including Jamaica, is on the agenda of the Heads of Government Summit now on in Guyana.



According to Mr. Golding it should be no more difficult to send goods from Jamaica to Trinidad or Barbados to Antigua than it is to send them from Kingston to Montego Bay.



Addressing journalists at the end of today\'s first official session, Mr. Golding said there is also an urgent need to determine how to deal with certification.



Under World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules, a country reserves the right to do risk assessment of imports into its country.



Mr. Golding said CARICOM countries need to establish a framework of standards organisation where one country is prepared to accept the certification of the standards body of another rather than having to travel to that country to inspect its processing facilities.



The smooth flow of trade within the region cannot be achieved through contention and quarrel but that CARICOM leaders must consider solving the problem through negotiation, he added.