Cabinet has granted its approval for a representative from the Guyana Revenue Authority and the Central Immigration Office to attend the Train-the-Trainers Workshop for Immigration and Customs Officers that is being held by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat in Barbados from 13- 14 June. This is according to information released by the Government’s information arm [GINA/DPI].
It was revealed Minister of State Joseph Harmon made the announcement at the post-Cabinet briefing at the Ministry of the Presidency on Friday.
The workshop which forms part of the Tenth European Development Fund, Caribbean Single Market Economy (CSME) Economic Integration Programme, seeks to clarify the roles and functions of border officers. The training is also geared at ensuring that there is a common understanding of the CSME in general and the Free Movement of
Persons (FMP) in particular, the minister explained.
In addition to further strengthening and building the capacity of these officials on the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Free Movement regimes, it is expected that this intervention will enhance their ability to train their peers upon their return home. As such the workshop will also include a module on Customer Service and on Effective Communication.
The ultimate goal of the CSME is to provide the foundation for growth and development through the creation of a single economic space for the production of competitive goods and services. The CSME has for years been touted as the most critical pillar in Caribbean regional integration. Yet, for years, the full implementation of the CSME has been stalled due to several factors including lack of knowledge of the programme, particularly customs and immigration officers, who should be facilitating the process.