The Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Dr. Carla Barnett, has recently urged trade officials to intensify efforts in deepening established markets, seek out new opportunities, and diversify economic relationships to tackle changing geopolitical and tariff-related challenges. Dr. Barnett made these remarks during the Sixtieth Regular Meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED).
She spotlighted the necessity to bolster regional production and capitalize on emerging trade prospects, emphasizing that recent tariff instabilities highlight the urgent need for trade diversification. “We must enhance our current market engagement, venture into new territories, and form new alliances to achieve economic growth and sustainable development in our Region,” she stated.
In her address, Dr. Barnett highlighted ongoing dialogues with various nations, including Colombia, under the CARICOM-Colombia Agreement, urging participants to prioritize the advancement of these negotiations. Furthermore, she advocated for the removal of barriers to intra-regional trade and for fostering a more supportive environment for entrepreneurship.
Additionally, she welcomed a report concerning the Regional Industrial Policy, calling it pivotal for enhancing regional integration and pushing for its swift implementation for economic advancement.
Dr. Barnett also stressed the importance of collaboration among CARICOM entities, encouraging teamwork to maximize resources and improve overall outcomes. She expressed optimism that the COTED meeting, chaired by Barbados’ Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kerrie Symmonds, would lead to actionable policy decisions beneficial to the regional economic framework.
Source: guyanachronicle.com
