President Donald Ramotar said while Latin America and the Caribbean as a region has recorded growth during the global economic downturn, several Caribbean countries are struggling with the effects of the crises.
Ramotar made this comment in his address at the First Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the Community of Latin America and Caribbean States (CELAC) last week held in Chile. In lauding the establishment of CELAC, he said it was vital for the nations to keep in contact as this drives the integration process, a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
As lead Head of Agriculture in Caricom, the president called for cooperation in this area; referring to learning from Latin American countries that have transformed their agricultural sector. The president said that the US$3 billion Caribbean food import bill can be reduced if the agricultural and transport sectors improve. He then issued a challenge to other leaders to take steps to eradicate poverty.
Ramotar also noted that the challenges associated with transportation in the region are a hindrance to integration. “Infrastructure integration is also important if the region is to realise its full potential, he said.
He also spoke about the need to take the fight to drug trafficking, noting that it was “no longer enough to say that we are not consumers and so the problem is not ours.”
“The fight against drugs has to be one of cooperation amongst all countries as this transnational “business” continues to infiltrate every aspect of our societies,” the president said.
The president also extended gratitude to Cuba for its contributions to developing human resources in Guyana and the wider region. He then extended good wishes to President Raul Castro during his tenure as Cuba assumes the presidency of the Organisation. Ramotar also thanked the Chilean Government for advancing CELAC’s objectives.
According to the release, Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett and Audrey Waddell, Ambassador to UNASUR accompanied the president to Chile.
