CARICOM Heads committed to smooth functioning of CSME – President Granger

Georgetown, Guyana – (July 5, 2016) President David Granger said that CARICOM heads are committed to removing the obstacles to the smooth functioning of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) and other mechanisms of the Community.

The President made these remarks in a brief comment to the media before going into caucus with his regional counterparts at the Pegasus Hotel, Kingston as the 37th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM gets underway.

When asked if Guyana is considering appointing a high commissioner for Trinidad and Tobago, President Granger responded in the affirmative; but noted that Guyana is more interested in strengthening its relationship with the entire CARICOM.

“We are in discussions with the Trinidad and Tobago Government but we are committed to the Caribbean, it is one means of strengthening our relationship with important CARICOM States, we need high commissioner to CARICOM and it is likely that that high commissioner will be based in Port of Spain.

We are concerned with the entire CARICOM and our High Commissioner to CARICOM is likely to be based in Trinindad and Tobago,” the Head of State.

President Granger said apart from the regional heads, Guyana is also proud to host Chilean President Michelle Bachelet who will be officially opening Chile’s Embassy in Brickdam, Georgetown. He said that Chile, which is prone to environmental disasters, will be able to lend expertise in terms of disaster management preparedness and climate change.

He added that the Chilean Embassy in Georgetown will serve to further concretise that country’s relationship with CARICOM.

In August last year, President Granger accredited His Excellency Claudio Rachel Rojas as the first ever resident Ambassador of Chile to Guyana. The Embassy is located at 66 Brummel Place, Stabroek Georgetown.