CATEGORY:IMMIGRATION ------------------------- By Wallace J.A Inside Grenada correspondent Monday January 29,2007 ST. GEORGE - The Grenada Government has joined its regional counterparts in issuing the new Caribbean Community (CARICOM) passport. The Immigration Department on the island should commence issuing this new passport from today (Monday 29 January, 2007). The first CARICOM country to begin using the new passport is Surinam, which began issuing them from January 7, 2005. Also in the group of countries currently using the passports are St. Vincent and the Grenadines and St. Kitts/ Nevis. CARICOM leaders agreed some years aback to commence using this new travel document as a means of promoting regionalism and facilitating the smooth travel of CARICOM nationals within the region. The new passport’s cover is emblazoned with the logo of CARICOM and contains the words ‘Caricom Community.’ The Coat of Arms and the name of the issuing country are also prominently placed on the cover. The new 32 page passport costs EC$125.00 and the 50 page costs EC$175.00. The passport is valid for 10 years and is renewable after the 10 year period or if the pages are fully utilized prior o the expiration date. All CARICOM countries are expected to issue the new passport once their present stock of old passports is exhausted.