Caricom leaders are discussing how to make their integration movement stronger at their annual first quarter summit. The meeting, which takes place in St. Vincent and the Grenadines over three days, will review progress on a range of integration and cooperation issues. The key one is the Caricom single trading market which has been in operation for just over a year. But aspects of the single market, which allows for freer movement of labour, trade, and investment, remain unresolved. One is the operation and financing of a development fund to help the most under-developed economies compete with Caricom powerhouses like Trinidad and Tobago. How to manage the single market and the entire integration movement has proved even more problematic in the past. Proposals for an executive-style set-up not dissimilar to the European commission have not received unanimous backing, as is required under Caricom rules. Expert Team The question remains as to whether governments will want to surrender power to such a body. The heads will discuss the latest recommendation on executive authority from an expert team led by the former St. Lucian Prime Minister, Vaughan Lewis. "The issue of governance within Caricom is a very vital area," said current chair, Ralph Gonsalves, the Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The leaders will also discuss rising violent crime, air transportation, and review arrangements for the hosting of the cricket World Cup which starts next month. The World Cup has thrown up unprecedented new travel and security cooperation arrangements, including a common visa, that last for 11 weeks. Reprinted from bbccaribbean.com