OECS economic union has been mostly beneficial - official

The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) says several aspects of its recently established Economic Union have been beneficial to the people of the sub-region, despite the initial challenges.

Head of the OECS Regional Integration Unit, Elma Gene Isaac says the most significant development so far has been the free movement of people across the nine-member grouping as of August 1, 2011.

Miss Isaac was giving an update on the work of the unit as the OECS marked the second anniversary of the Economic Union. She says the initiative, when fully implemented, will provide more direct benefits to the people of the OECS, as it will allow them easier travel for the purposes of employment, business, trading, education and leisure.

Miss Isaac says in addition to the freedom of movement, programmes and policies are being harmonized across the sub-region to provide further benefits in the areas of trade, health, education, agriculture, tourism and energy.