ABSTRACT
Trade is recognized as a catalyst for economic development. It follows therefore that public procurement, as a vehicle to facilitate trade, can be a major driver for national development. The small economies of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) face several challenges in achieving economic integration and economic development. These include geographic location and spread, physical and population size, import dependency as well as dependency on tourism and few export markets, transportation (air and sea) and customs, among other issues. CARICOM is comprised of fifteen countries of the Caribbean, being mostly island states. The countries are far from homogenous and reflect many differences in population and physical size and levels of economic development. Table 2.1 shows the GDP, size and population of the Region.
