St. Lucia?s spokesperson for the CARICOM Single Market and Economy Mr. Titus Preville has been highlighting some of the key principles enshrined in the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramus, in the continuing efforts to educate the public on the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME).

An important component of the provisions that must be made known says Mr. Preville, is that of the"National Treatment and Most Favoured Nation Treatment Principle."

Mr. Preville explains that"a firm wishing to establish a business in another CARICOM country must not face conditions any more stringent than a national of that country would face in the setting up of a similar business .So if a person wants to set up a broadcasting network in St. Lucia whatever the rules are that apply to a St. Lucian who wishes to set up a radio or television station, a caricom national wishing to do the same, should not face conditions any different to a national."

The Revised Treaty Preville says, allows the business sectors within CARICOM to enjoy equal treatment."The most favoured"National Treatment Principle"basically says that the government of St Lucia cannot extend to any other government in CARICOM conditions that are more favourable than it would extend to another government in CARICOM so for instance, if the government of St. Lucia were to extend to the government of St. Vincent some special privilege with respect to how Vincentian businessmen can conduct business in St .Lucia, from the moment the government of St. Lucia does this, it automatically extends that privilege to every member of CARICOM."

This principle, he explained, serves to eliminate the issue of favouritism and bolster the issue of equality. Mr. Preville says notwithstanding the"Most Favoured Nation Treatment Principle"where a group of countries have formed themselves into one bloc, the"Most Favoured Nation Treatment Principle Nation"was waived.

The Caribbean countries including Saint Lucia have for the past few months been educating their various publics on the many aspects of the CSME.