This week, at a meeting in Kingston, Jamaica to discuss the negotiation of Mutual Recognition Agreements between the European Union and CARIFORUM, regional Architects expressed serious concerns regarding the lack of recognition of the value of their professions by regional Governments.
Similar concerns were raised by engineers from across the region at an earlier meeting held on the two days prior to the meeting of architects. Having entered into the CARIFORUM-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), which, for the first time, liberalises the trade of some services, service supplier have, potentially, new opportunities to sell their services but also, are likely to face more competition from Europeans. In order to be able to sell their services in Europe, many professions require the European country to recognise their qualifications, hence the need for Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs). With the support of Coalitions of Services Industries from around the region and the Caricom Office of Trade Negotiations, representatives of professional bodies of architects and engineers have been working to get to a point where they are ready to negotiate MRAs with their respective European counterparts. The private sector therefore is attempting, as governments have been urging, to put their houses in order to take advantage of the new market access which has been secured.
However, the regional governments must do their part as well. As has been argued in this space before, the regulatory environment in the Caricom market is much too weak. Despite legislation, the reality is that regional markets are basically a free for all. In many professions, because of lax or non existent enforcement, anyone can perform the functions which are supposed to be done by professionals.
This disadvantages local professionals on the one hand and places consumers (the general public) at risk on the other. Ensuring that the legislation in the respective countries is up to date and enforced is the sole responsibility of individual governments. The professional associations and Coalitions of Services Industries are prepared to support the work of technocrats and government but the governments must make the issue of ensuring that the home environment is conducive to the development of local businesses, a priority. There is a pressing need to for Governments to review, implement and maintain Professional Registration Acts for Architects. In addition, institutional and governmental support should be demonstrated for regional professionals in preparation for Mutual Recognition Agreements and to effectively regulate the professional practices.
At the meetings in Jamaica, concerns were expressed that many CARIFORUM states simply do not have any form of regulation in place. Architects have lobbied for the implementation of Registration Acts but Governments are often resistant to such initiatives or are at best slow to recognise the significance of Architecture. Furthermore many Governments openly flout the Regulatory legislation by awarding contracts to foreign design consultants thereby marginalising the role and function of regional Architects.
Architects argue that this is not in the public interest. Universal best practice proves that regulation is essential for protecting the public interest in relation to Architecture and the Built Environment. The design and construction of the spaces in which people live and work is of central importance to the advancement of Caribbean society. The region boasts a huge resource of talented and highly qualified professionals who have significant contributions to make in the field but are being hindered in their efforts by the lack of due regard by regional Governments and effective procurement practice. Where legislation and registration Acts currently exist, they require updating and measures to be undertaken to achieve regional alignment-an intra-regional MRA. Regional Governments need to Act fast if the EPA is to benefit professionals in the region or simply further undermine their practice.
Under the current regulatory environment the EPA could easily have a devastating effect on the professions locally if the home environment is not conducive to the growth of the local industry, it is unlikely that export capacity will be built. With Government support it could represent a cultural renaissance with immeasurable benefits to the public and for the profession. Architects are primed to engage with the opening of markets for services but must be empowered to take advantage of the opportunities of the EPA. On the other hand, professionals should consider re-thinking their business model to not only take advantage of the EPA and the Caricom-Canada agreement which is being negotiated but also other markets around the world. In this regard, local professionals should be thinking more about creating firms (even in collaboration with regional colleagues) which will outlive the professionals who work in them at present. The creation of firms, which are sustainable and competitive, opens up new business opportunities and creates greater export capacity. In addition, joint venturing and the creation of consortia are relatively simple and quick ways to develop new business opportunities.
With professionals and governments (including regulators) working hand in hand, the entire society will benefit. The whole world is moving forward; the Caribbean should try to do so as well.