Take intra-regional trade seriously

“We cannot tax or borrow our way out of our current situation; nor will such actions place us on a sustainable path of growth and further development.”

This was the clear statement coming from Minister of Industry, International Business, Commerce and Small Business Development, Donville Inniss, as he stressed that an increase in the export of goods and services would be a critical driving force for the region to pull itself out of the economic crisis.

He advised those gathered at yesterday’s opening of the Regional Consultations on Market Intelligence and Export Strategy Development to pay special attention to the issues affecting intra-regional trade, claiming that “too much lip-service” was being paid to these as islands remained “too focused on out narrow selfish space, resulting in the placement of barriers to trade within the Cariforum space”.

“A quick glance at the costs and difficulties in travelling within this region by air or sea, the conduct of some Customs and Health officials, the abrupt imposition of increased rates of duties and the hostility to our neighbours’ goods and services, do not help us build a strong regional space to co-exist in harmonious trade agreements.

“I urge my fellow policy makers and political leaders to stop laughing at the unfortunate circumstances that may beset our neighbours and to desist from the narrow-mindedness that inform some thoughts and actions, and let us finally take intra-regional trade seriously. I am already tired of the talk shops that are reflected at many of our regional dialogues and would urge my colleagues to let us commit to do better for our citizens and our firms,” Inniss emphasised.

The event was hosted by the Caribbean Export Development Agency and continues today at the Radisson Aquatica.