Rahming: We will find togetherness will do more for us than separation

The Ambassador for the Bahamas, the Honourable Reuben Rahming spoke at great length to WIC News on a whole range of interesting subjects during the 30th Inter-sessional CARICOM conference in St. Kitts. The following is a transcript of the interview. WIC News Reporter: What would you like to see happen at this CARICOM Meeting? Ambassador Reuben Rahming: We have specific things that we’d like to see happen. There are different dynamics in every country so obviously it will be difficult to have an agenda that perfectly matches our aims. Thinking of the theme of this Meeting, regional security is very important for us for obvious reasons but regional transportation is very, very important for us also. It is a critical part of delivering the idea of CARICOM. WIC News Reporter: Five former CARICOM Heads of State have called for aid to be sent to Venezuela through the UN. What are your views on this? Do you support such action and do you think CARICOM should echo this as one voice during this meeting? Rahming: Quite frankly, nobody should have a problem with aid being given. There’s a saying, ‘if your brother’s in trouble, so am I’, and there’s another thing called reciprocity. We would have seen that in the last Hurricane season that swept virtually all the Caribbean islands. And so whether it’s hurricanes, whether it’s an act of war, whether it’s sickness, health – humanitarian service is a fundamental human right and so to me, personally, it’s irrelevant whether once person says it or not, I would think every human being would be happy to – and I’m talking non-politically, just for the sake of helping those people that are in need – we should encourage everybody who has the ability and the means to help provide aid. That’s all. WIC News Reporter: What do you make of the EU’s attitude towards some of the CARICOM nations – particularly those running Citizenship by Investment Programmes? Rahming: It’s not just countries with Citizenship by Investment that have been suffering, Bahamas is one of the countries that became blacklisted. The processes that are being used to create these lists are very unfair and disadvantageous towards smaller and developing countries” WIC News Reporter:Do you think there should be an effort to regulate Citizenship by Investment Programmes through CARICOM? Rahming: I don’t think there could be any regulation [of Citizenship by Investment] across CARICOM. The global reach is very attractive in terms of that market but the Bahamas doesn’t really need that, we have a series of private sectors. WIC News Reporter: Are you aware of the Ramada Hotel Resort controversy? Essentially, the Ramada hotel in St. Kitts has been under development for over four years and the construction is still nowhere near completion despite the funds required being gathered through CBIs. People are wondering where the money is and why there are no workers on the site. Do you have any advice for Timothy Harris on how he might want to approach this issue? Rahming: The Bahamas would be the last to advise on Citizenship by investment. We would probably give advice on tourism development – the Bahamas would certainly assist with that, with security and with other areas where we could offer some expertise. Every country has its own dynamics, every country has their hit and miss in their evolution, sometimes it’s about helping a country find its own strength. You must be careful to be sensitive of each country’s uniqueness, their unique product, their unique disposition, their unique qualities … WIC News Reporter: So do you think the states with CBI Programmes are highlighting their uniqueness? Rahming: I admire them and I am very, very confident that they will all adapt and they will all overcome and become successful. And just on your earlier question, I think it’s worth knowing that the Heads all have a very good relationship and so they are all comfortable in seeking advice from each other. They operate like that.

WIC News Reporter: Will Brexit have any impact on the way CARICOM behaves?

Rahming: The United Kingdom is going through their turmoil but I don’t think it’s anybody’s business – they’ve already made that decision.” “Don’t forget we were all British colonies and somewhere we were all cut down the middle, like Solomon, we’ll offer to cut the baby down the middle.” We’ll maintain our historic link with Britain – it’s our history – and we’ll continue to forge our relationship with Europe. And it’s as simple as that. You must be conscious of the fact that it’s not our fight, it’s not our struggle. So when these two, huge conglomerates settle down, there’ll be plenty of room for everybody, we’ll connect. WIC News Reporter: What’s the biggest thing you’d like to see change with CARICOM? Rahming: There are many big things [I’d like to see change] – efficiency, better linkages in the economy, transportation – connecting and linking -, we’re doing well representing each other as a bloc which allows us to punch high above our weight as individual countries. But to expand, it would be good to see more members come in. So, CARICOM’s doing well, as long as we keep our cohesion, keep our focus together -don’t let our differences separate us. We will find that our togetherness will do more for us than separation ever will.