Barbados Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley Highlights Trade Opportunities Between Caribbean and Africa

Out of the dark history of the Caribbean, Barbados is ideally placed to be the trade hub with the African continent as the two regions forge greater links, especially in food security, says Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley.

She floated the idea yesterday during the opening ceremony of the two-day AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum (ACTIF23) in Guyana, and shortly before signing a loan agreement with the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank).

Mottley said whether the global issues have been in relation to climate, food security, water security, the COVID-19 pandemic or conflict, African nations and those of the Caribbean must be able to chart a way for even deeper cooperation and solidarity.

The Prime Minister said she and Professor Benedict Oramah, president and chairman of the board of directors of Afreximbank, spoke two weeks prior about food security, agreeing that Guyana, Suriname and Belize had the capacity to meet the demand but needed greater compliance in other areas. (AC)