Increased interest from C’bean countries for Guyana’s fresh produce – Agri Minister

Efforts are being intensified to address the issue of non-tariff barriers to trade as more and more countries within the Caribbean Community (Caricom) are expressing an increase in importing fresh produce from Guyana.
Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha during a meeting in Ann’s Grove on Tuesday reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to finding markets for farmers’ produce.
“They want all the fresh produce from Guyana to go across there. So, there are ready markets in the Caribbean for farmers’ produce. We are working now and meeting with them to remove all the non-tariff barriers that used to cause our produce not to go into the markets,” Mustapha pointed out.
According to Mustapha, the Government stands ready to support the farmers to accomplish this goal and has been working closely with the countries to export local produce.
“GMC (Guyana Marketing Corporation) has an obligation to help the farmers to get markets for their produce. We have to work with the farmers. There are enough markets out there for our farmers and we will work with you to find markets. We will work with you to develop your areas to have better infrastructure so that you could produce more,” he added.
He noted that countries such as Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, and Antigua and Barbuda have expressed an increased interest in importing fresh produce from Guyana, sharing that the Government is working to remove all barriers to export.
In May last year, Guyana and Trinidad signed a Memorandum of Understanding to, among other things, resolve trade restrictions between the two countries. The MoU provided for renewed and enhanced cooperation in the areas of trade and investment. It is also expected to address non-tariff barriers and other impediments to the flow of goods and services while pursuing enhanced cooperation in agriculture and food security, security, energy, infrastructure, tourism, education, sport, and culture.
To oversee the implementation of the MoU, a high-level bilateral commission will be established, comprising of representatives from both public and private sectors from the two nations. The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry has also been very vocal about the difficulties faced by local firms in conducting business in and with Trinidad and Tobago due to a number of trade barriers.
President Ali said that by working in tandem, the nations will be able to realise the tremendous potential that exists between them.
“Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago have a long and glorious history of working together. And what we have done today is to set the agenda and narrative that we don’t want it any other way but the way in which we will work together to realise the aspirations of the people of our countries.”
He said too that the discussions between the two countries have been “very focused, positive and forward-looking” and have allowed the chance to identify missed opportunities, new opportunities, and importantly, the blocks to those opportunities.
Meanwhile, back in February, Guyana pledged US$2 million in support of the Caribbean Community’s (Caricom) food production and food security programme.
Chairman of Caricom, Prime Minister of the Bahamas, Phillip Davis commended President Ali’s proposal, adding that the proposal included the expanse of hydroponics farming in the Region. In fact, this type of farming is expected to be used as a project plan to access funds that were pledged by the United States Government to support the Caribbean’s food security efforts.