BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves Wednesday warned that crime and difficulties surrounding regional air transportation were major stumbling blocks towards making greater progress in regional trade.  Addressing the two-day colloquium hosted by the Barbados-based Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) Gonsalves said  high crime levels in several countries were not only a deterrent for tourists but also a disincentive for potential investors.
He said that the high rate of crime particularly in Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica continues to hinder investment opportunities as they escalate the security costs of doing business.