‘Nonsensical’ barriers hindering intra-regional food trade

Irfann Ali

Addressing the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA) President’s Dinner and Award Ceremony on Tuesday evening, Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali called for the removal of “nonsensical” barriers that hinder intra-regional food trade within CARICOM.

Ali was at the time outlining the challenges of CARICOM’s Single Market and Economy (CSME), pointing out that it is not a lack of collective decisions at the level of heads of government rather the  commitment of individual governments.  

“Many times people believe that the heads are not making decisions. So it’s not a lack of decision it is our ability as individual states to take seriously those decisions and implement those decisions. This is a concern…we cannot move forward regionally as a people, we cannot move forward as a collective if we are not willing to act in a scrupulous manner,” Ali told the TTMA gathering via his virtual appearance.