CARICOM urged to diversify and deepen trade relations

 

CARICOM Secretary-General Dr. Carla Barnett has called for the region to diversify and deepen its trade and economic relations. 

 

This is against the backdrop of several trade-related challenges facing the region, including the recent tariff shocks instituted by the United States. 

 

Dr. Barnett said there must be a redoubling of efforts to explore new markets and develop new partnerships if the region is to advance its goals of economic growth and sustainable development. 

 

"As such, the work to address the way forward in trade relations with the United States, bilateral negotiations with Colombia and the outstanding certification of the Belize-El Salvador Partial Scope Agreement must be given focused attention. Equally, we need to promote regional production and expand intraregional trade by updating policies and practices to support entrepreneurship and make trade and business development easier. We also have

an imperative to address the impediments to trade and remove longstanding issues of non-compliance from our agenda," she proposed.  

 

Dr. Barnett was addressing the opening ceremony of the 60th meeting of the Council of Trade and Economic Development underway in Guyana.