There are important investment roles for both the public and private sector in the Region’s quest to be competitive, for import substitution, alleviation of food security risks and for increased contribution to economic development.

Speaking at the Opening Ceremony of the Caribbean Week of Agriculture 2016 in Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, CARICOM Secretary-General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque said the opportunities were there for those who were willing to take it.

The CWA is being held under the theme `Investing in Food and Agriculture’.

“As we seek to attract investment in both small and large scale agri-business initiatives, there must be encouragement for our youth, women and small scale farmers to play a greater part,” the Secretary-General said.

The Secretariat and its partners, he said, would continue to encourage youth and women in agriculture, to counter the high unemployment rate among that segment of the Community.

The Secretary-General also referred to the need to improve transportation to enable greater regional trade in agriculture.

 “I look forward to the ideas ventilated to advance this critical cog in the wheel of agriculture development, which would be another filip to encouraging investment in the sector.

An Investment Forum was held immediately following the opening ceremony of the CWA.