The Minister of Foreign Affairs and the CARICOM Ambassador, in particular, and the Prime Minister are to be congratulated for dealing as expeditiously as they did with the apparent problems that products of the Pine Hill Dairy experienced in getting into the Trinidad market.
It is just as well that we have resolved this issue quickly because regional integration cannot flourish if trade between the members of the community meets these unnecessary obstacles.
The important point to be made is that we all benefit from integrated trade. The success of Barbadian companies operating in Barbados and exporting to Trinidad is as much in Barbados’ interest as it is in Trinidad’s interest.
After all, Barbados Shipping & Trading and Republic Bank, to mention only two enterprises, are owned by Trinidad, and given the principles of money and the practice of the marketplace, the health of local companies matters to Trinidad. And to cut off exports from Barbados to Trinidad and Tobago in the present situation is foolhardy conduct of the worst kind.
Tit for tat
Not only that. Such action is bound to ruffle the feathers of Barbadians, and not surprisingly some Barbadian account holders removed their monies from the Republic Bank. We trust that this tit for tat is now behind us, but if Barbados is so well known for following the rules, then we have to demand and expect the same from other regional countries, particularly with rules that relate to free and untrammelled intraregional trade.
We are happy the prime minister of Trinidad seems eager to have outstanding matters between the two countries sorted out. Included is the issue of the gas pipeline, which is of considerable interest to Barbados because energy costs are a prime concern to manufacturers here.
Although the fate of local fishermen in Trinidad and Tobago waters has apparently not figured seriously as a point of controversy this time, it is also a sore point at a time when, in a manner of speaking, Trinidadian companies pack their goods on our shelves.
We know that there are formal settlement procedures for dealing with trade disputes, but regular meetings could be held between officials of the two countries until these matters are put to rest.
A great deal of economic improvement is possible in Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago once the issues of trade and investment are dealt with. As these countries are two of the larger ones in the regional movement and physically close, unique chances exist for a powerful economic synergy.
Its success can be a catalyst for accelerated regional integration, and we must do everything to ensure continued good relations between these two countries.
