The First CARICOM-Africa Summit held on 7 September 2021, opened a new chapter in the deep-rooted and strong relations between CARICOM and Africa.  It set in motion various initiatives to further deepen and strengthen relations between the African continent and the Community.  In particular, the Leaders underscored the need to foster increased trade, investment, air travel, and maritime shipping links, with a view to realising greater economic integration and enhanced people-to-people contact between Africa and the Caribbean.

Op-Ed by Hon. Shawn Edward, Minister for Education, Sustainable Development, Innovation, Science, Technology, Saint Lucia

• Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago:
  The Honourable Doctor Keith Rowley,
• Prime Minister of Barbados:
  The Honourable Mia Amor Mottley,
• President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana:

His Excellency Mohamed Irfaan Ali,

Heads of Government of CARICOM have committed to reducing the Region’s large food import bill by 25% by 2025. The implementation of the CARICOM Agri-Food Systems Strategy in the Member States, is expected to help achieve this target, by giving special attention to priority crops and products such as poultry, corn, soya, meat (Goat, Sheep, Beef), rice and niche vegetables which are highly imported products in the region.

The Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago has issued a provisional registration to PayWise Limited as an electronic money (e-money) issuer. The provisional registration authorises PayWise to issue e-money in Trinidad and Tobago from September 1, 2022, becoming the first entity, apart from banks and non-bank financial institutions, so authorised.

PayWise will also be allowed to enlist new customers. PayWise is registered as a payment service provider since 2019 by CBTT.