CARICOM countries will be using the upcoming Guyana Agri- Investment Forum as a springboard to help stimulate the high food prices in the region as well as to seek out investment, according to Agriculture Ministrer, Zulfikar Mustapha.
CARICOM members are seeking to reduce the region’s US$5 Billion food import bill by 25% by 2025.
At a press conference on Monday, to give an update on the Agri- investment forum which runs from October 20th, the Agriculture Minister said the Agri Forum hopes to heighten awareness of the transformation of CARICOM Agri food systems and the 25 by 2025 initiative.
“As the host and the lead country for Agriculture, Guyana is demonstrating its unwavering commitment to the development and modernization of the sector, while realizing its potential of once again becoming the breadbasket of CARICOM,” Mustapha said.
Minister Mustapha noted that there is new emerging prospects in CARICOM’s agriculture sector including technical and logistical solutions, which are expected to be on show to demonstrate the progress that has been made in the region on the Agricultural front.
CARICOM has already established a Special Ministerial taskforce on Agriculture, with one of its main focus to address the rising food import bill and to stimulate investments in Agriculture as well as food production.
“CARICOM heads agree that the Agri-investment forum and expo would be the appropriate mechanism to address these issues. The Ministry of Agriculture of Guyana and the CARICOM Secretariat, continues to lead as Co-chairs of the event, while the planning committee include stakeholders from government, development partners and the private sector,” Mr. Mustapha said.
The Minister noted too that there have been tangible outcomes from previous events, with various investments in CARICOM countries. He said similar successes are expected following this year’s event.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login