ONE of the region’s most recently elected leaders says it’s an indictment on CARICOM countries that they still have not been able to cut dowm on the region’s massive food import bill.
Another addressed the trade imbalance that exists in Trinidad and Tobago’s favour, calling for a more level playing field for other member states.
Guyana’s President Donald Ramotar lamented the region’s failure to grow and manufacture more of its own food while Jamaica’s Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller spoke to the trade concerns affecting her country as well as Barbados, during the opening ceremony of the 33rd Regular Meeting of the Heads of Government Conference taking place in St Lucia.
The ceremony, which is still underway at the Sandals Grande St Lucian Spa and Resort, has also heard Secretary General Irwin LaRocque insist that despite the shortcomings, “CARICOM is not dead” – a position echoed by other regional leaders.
In his address, outgoing CARICOM Chairman and President of Suriname Desi Bouterse appealed for more attention to be paid to the region’s youth.
Eleven of the 15 leaders of CARICOM, including Barbados’ Prime Minister Freundel Stuart, are attending the three-day meeting. (DP)
