GEORGETOWN, Guyana--The trade and investment relationship between the Caribbean Community CARICOM and the United States of America (USA) will come under review on Friday, October 13, when representatives of the two sides meet in Georgetown, Guyana, according to a press release from the CARICOM Secretariat.
Agricultural sustainability, food and nutrition security, matters pertaining to the Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI), trade in services, trade facilitation and good regulatory practices are on the packed agenda of the Ninth Meeting of the CARICOM-United States Trade and Investment Council, at the CARICOM Secretariat headquarters.
The two sides are expected to review the CBI, the US trade preference programmes for the Region and explore ways in which to enhance the trade and investment relationship between the United States and CARICOM, the release states.
As CARICOM accelerates efforts to achieve the goal of 25% reduction in food imports by the year 2025, the discussion on agricultural sustainability and food and nutrition security would highlight the use of biotechnology and other tools to promote climate resilience in agriculture, and CARICOM’s 25 by 2025 initiative.
On trade facilitation, officials are expected to discuss avenues for streamlined procedures to facilitate exports and the participation of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in international trade.
CARICOM and US representatives will also examine ways to enhance engagement under the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA). This agreement rationalises CARICOM and Unites States’ desire to promote long-term development, expansion and diversification of trade in products and services, according to the release.
The Meeting will be co-chaired by Felix Gregoire, Ambassador of Dominica to CARICOM and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), on behalf of CARICOM and by Ambassador Jayme White, Deputy US Trade Representative on behalf of the US, the release concludes.
