by Linda Straker
- Caricom Day is to be observed as a Bank Holiday throughout Grenada
- S R & O No. 22 of 2023 published in 23 June 2023 edition of Government Gazette
- Grenada joined Caricom on 1 May 1974
The proclamation announcing 4 July 2023 as a national holiday in Grenada, S R & O No. 22 of 2023, has been published in the 23 June 2023 edition of the Government Gazette, the official publication for government notices.
Signed by Governor-General Dame Cécile La Grenade on 21 June, the proclamation, said that 4 July or Caricom Day is to be observed as a Bank Holiday throughout Grenada to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Caricom.
The Head of State called on all citizens “to reflect on the achievements of this important organisation,” which Grenada joined on 1 May 1974. The Caribbean Community or Caricom was established on 4 July 1973, with the signing of the Treaty of Chaguaramas.
The primary objectives of Caricom are to promote economic integration and cooperation among its members, ensure that the benefits of integration are equitably shared, and coordinate foreign policy. The secretariat headquarters is in Guyana.
Caricom superseded the 1965–1972 Caribbean Free Trade organised to provide a continued economic linkage between the English-speaking countries of the Caribbean after the dissolution of the West Indies Federation, which lasted from 3 January 1958 to 31 May 1962.
A revised Treaty of Chaguaramas established the Caribbean Community, including the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME) and was signed by the Heads of Governments of its 14 member states on 5 July 2001 at their 22nd Meeting of the Conference in The Bahamas.
Under Article 4 of the Treaty, the member states are divided into 2 groups: Less Developed Countries (LDCs) and More Developed Countries. The LDCs are Antigua and Barbuda, Belize; Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, Republic of Haiti, Montserrat, Federation of St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia and St Vincent and the Grenadines.
The More Developed Countries are The Bahamas, Barbados, The Co-operative Republic of Guyana, Jamaica, the Republic of Suriname and the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. The post of Chairman is held in rotation by the regional Heads of State for the republics and Heads of Government for the realms.
