President addresses poverty, agriculture, and Caribbean economies – at CELAC Summit in Chile
President Donald Ramotar told his colleague Heads of Government gathered in Chile about the peculiarities Caribbean territories face in comparison to their Latin American counterparts, the importance of promoting integration, poverty eradication and fighting the drug scourge.
President Donald Ramotar waves upon arrival in Chile for the First Summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC)
At the First Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) in Chile, the perception that all is well in Latin American and Caribbean economies was revisited.
“While Latin America and the Caribbean as a region has managed to escape the effects of the financial crises with the region actually recording positive growth, when disaggregated, the situation in the Caribbean is a matter of great concern. Many of the countries are having tremendous difficulties, and are still reeling from the effects of the crises,” President Ramotar said.
President Donald Ramotar with colleague Heads of Government in Caricom and Chilean President SebastiÁn Piñera Echenique at the First Summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC)
A Preliminary Overview of the Economies of Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) that was unveiled last December had concluded that the world economic crisis had a negative, but less dramatic impact on the continent, as the region maintained certain resilience to external shocks throughout the year.
The Guyanese economy fared reasonably well for much of the volatile period owing to prudent management unlike other countries that faced austerity measures- freezes, spending cuts and job layoffs.
ECLAC had predicted a growth rate of four percent in Guyana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for 2012 marking the seventh consecutive year of creditable performance for the economy.
President Donald Ramotar and Minister of Foreign Affairs Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett with other Heads of State and their delegation at the First Summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC)
With the commissioning of the bridge across the Takutu River three years ago, Guyana became a potential gateway to Brazil and South America for the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and has been taking full advantage of bilateral trade and other benefits with the Portuguese- speaking nation.
The signing of a partial scope agreement paved the way for preferential access for selected products from Guyana into the Brazilian market like fruits and vegetables, beef, poultry, spices, rice, peanuts, and sugar, frozen fish, shrimp and prawns.
As Head for Agriculture, Agricultural Diversification and Food Security in CARICOM President Ramotar lauded Latin America countries as a transformative agricultural sector that he believes can serve as a good model for the Caribbean food import challenge.
Latin America and the Caribbean contribute 11% of the value of world food production and represent 24% of the world’s arable land, but with many inhabitants still living in poverty President Ramotar challenged his colleague Heads of Government to work to eradicate this scourge.
He also addressed the drug problem calling for cooperation amongst all countries as this transnational ‘business’ continues to “infiltrate every aspect of societies”.
The summit which began on January 26 concludes today with Cuba assuming the pro-tempore chair of the First CELAC Summit.
President Ramotar used the occasion to extend best wishes to Cuban President Raul Castro and his Government for a ‘successful tenure’
