OECS Skills Strategy Final Discussion Draft

Skills Strategy Options for the OECS
A Report to the OECS and the World Bank

Executive Summary

The Caribbean states of Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, and St.
Vincent and the Grenadines have achieved middle income status since gaining independence from the
UK in 1974‐1983. Anguilla, the British Virgin Islands and Montserrat, self‐governing states that have the
status of British Overseas Territories have seen similar economic progress. The first six are Member
States of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), a sub‐regional organization for
cooperation and development; the latter three are Associate Members. With the Revised Treaty of
Basseterre expected to be ratified by Member States in 2011, the OECS is to create a new Economic
Union that will have a stronger legislative role in sub‐regional collaboration.