Minister Todd hosts National Advisory Committee on External Negotiations

Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Hugh Todd in his capacity as Chair of the National Advisory Committee on External Negotiations (NACEN) on Monday hosted a virtual meeting of the committee to discuss several trade-related matters.

In his remarks to NACEN, the Minister referred to the efficacy of trade with Guyana’s Caribbean neighbours and recalled Guyana’s role as a founding member of the Caribbean Community.
In this regard, he further noted the role that Guyana has assumed in leading the agricultural agenda at the level of Caricom and outlined President Ali’s vision to revitalise agriculture in the Caribbean.
Todd also underscored the Ministry’s readiness to support the Private Sector in becoming familiar with trade agreements that Guyana has signed on to and urged members to continue to engage the Ministry for clarity and assistance, as necessary.
Guyana’s Ambassador to Caricom Ambassador George Talbot and Director (ag) of the Department of Trade, Bevon McDonald, provided updates on trade-related issues such as the Caricom Common External Tariff (CET), CARIFORUM-EU EPA, ongoing preparations for the 12th Session of the WTO Ministerial Conference (MC12) and preparations for the 9th Summit of the Americas.
The NACEN is a platform for engagement between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and representatives of the Private Sector, civil society, and academia on matters relating to the crafting, development, and execution of the country’s national trade policies.