Time is right to push for removal of regional trade barriers on honey, other products – Ali

…says Guyana an active partner in advancing change

Trade barriers that hamper the export of honey into countries like Trinidad and Tobago is a longstanding issue. But according to President Dr Irfaan Ali, he is willing to raise the matter at the level of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) Heads of Government and is, moreover, optimistic that the time is right to get it resolved.
On Tuesday, the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) held a high-level Ministers of Agriculture meeting at the Arthur Chung Conference Center (ACCC) in Guyana.
Afterwards, President Ali was asked about the issue of trade barriers against honey imports in the Region. Countries such as Trinidad and Tobago have prohibitions against honey imports, despite protestations from Guyanese exporters. According to President Ali, this matter is on the Caricom agenda.
“The honey issue is one that we have raised at Caricom. And to be fair, Prime Minister Rowley had said that they are going to address the honey issue. It’s an outdated law. I can’t pronounce on that system, but I know that it’s an item on the Caricom agenda, not only for Guyana but Grenada also,” the President said.
It was pointed out that the matter was one that was raised under the previous Government and a commitment to address the law was made even then by the Trinidad Prime Minister. According to President Ali, he is optimistic that these barriers to trade can be removed.
“This is the challenge of being in the Region. You can’t give up. We have to have hope that it will change. I think there is a mood now. My opinion is there is a mood in the Region now to have these trade barriers and these challenges addressed. And I’m very confident that that mood can bring us results.
“I have great confidence in Ministers and the policymakers here. And I’ve seen them work, on the Caricom 25 by 2025. I know the players in CELAC. I think what they need is that out-of-the-box approach in using this forum to shift policy change. And I’m willing to take the outcome of this meeting to Caricom Heads,” President Ali further said.
Ali pointed out that he leads Caricom’s agriculture agenda. Additionally, Guyana’s Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha chairs the ministerial task force. President Ali also pointed out that St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister, Dr Ralph Gonsalves now chairs CELAC.
“So, whatever is the outcome of this meeting, they have a champion here who will take this to Caricom Heads, and argue and present the case of the outcome. So that is the difference. The difference is that it’s not a passive relationship. They have a job to do. And I have a job to do, as lead Head in Caricom (on agriculture). And now, with Prime Minister Gonsalves sitting as the Chair of CELAC, it gives us a great opportunity to bring the synergies that we want,” the President said.
In Caricom’s 25 per cent by 2025 plan to slash the food import bill, financing, trade barriers, women and youth involvement, transportation, financing, logistics, climate and resilience are covered. While building capacity, the countries have also turned to Brazil to enter the supply chain.
Through the 25 by 2025 plan, Caricom has seen a turnaround with significant interest and investment in food production. For the first time in decades, there has been a major shift in action at the policy level which has attracted attention globally and created a space for dialogue. (G3)