The governments of Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago have pledged to address the challenge that is hampering bilateral trade between the two nations, but also to address issues of food security and energy security in the context of the wider Caribbean region. In addition, the two parties discussed Tourism and youth development.
Discussions between the current governments began in May when Prime Minister Rowley visited Guyana.
At the time, it pledged, among other things, to remove non-tariff barriers in order to facilitate trade.
At a joint press conference today in Port-of-Spain, President Irfaan Ali who is on a state visit to the CARICOM sister state said it is time for the governments of Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana to work together to advance the cause not only of the region. but the two countries he said have always shared a strong cultural bond.
“What we are working towards is an agenda through which we can build a sustainable path that will bring prosperity, opportunity and advance the interest of the people of Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana. We are not here to create an environment in which one side sees itself as the winner. We are here to work on creating and advancing institutions and systems that will create an enabling environment for all who are ready and willing to participate,” said President Ali.
The President noted that the two issues that need urgent attention are food security and energy security.
He recalled that the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine have shown the region’s vulnerability to external shocks.
“We the people of this region – the people of Trinidad and Tobago must understand that we live in this global context and if we are not ready and willing to make the tough decisions that will allow us to face the challenges in this global environment and build systems and to create an environment in which we will develop the necessary capacities to face these global challenges, then we will not leave a sustainable path for development and prosperity for our people in this region”, said the President.
Within the CARICOM Common Market and Economy, the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr. Keith Rowley explained that the aim in the region is to increase food production on a larger scale, as well as to encourage young people in food production and to remove non-tariff barriers.
“Because if one CARICOM country produces food or raw materials for food production and another CARICOM country has a barrier between us – whatever the non-tariff barrier is, if there is a barrier between CARICOM countries, then increasing CARICOM production for CARICOM countries does not will succeed”, declared Prime Minister Rowley.
Outside the region, the Prime Minister announced that CARICOM is currently working with the United States on energy, agriculture and regional financing, with the intervention of the US President, Mr. Rowley said the agenda set between the region and the US is moving forward.
