Key stakeholders are scheduled to dialogue on the benefits of the OECS Economic Union during a special mission of the OECS Commission this week in Grenada.

The mission will also update the business sector, labor unions, and other beneficiaries on the establishment of the free circulation of goods and services.

Chairman of the OECS Task Force on the Free Movement of Goods and Services, Ambassador Ellsworth John, discussed the motive for public outreach.

“People need to embrace and understand what it means to be part of one economic space,” he said. “We want to educate the public about what it means to move freely; why there are no additional taxes or duties imposed on good or product within the Economic Union space; what the implications are for businesses who want to be established across borders; and how people can reap the benefits of being part of one Economic Union.”

Technical Advisor to the OECS Commission, Claude Paul, spoke about the objectives of the meeting.

“We will liaise with the customs department and discuss the issues that are important to them,” he said. “We will meet with other stakeholders like those in agriculture, and standards, but more importantly we want to activate a national working group on free circulation. That group will responsible for implementing measures and providing information for the commission as we go forward.”

The mission is supported by the European Union under the 10th EDF program.