DURING a courtesy call yesterday on Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, his Barbados counterpart, Mr Freundel Stuart noted that he was invited by President David Granger and his team to attend the 49th Independence Celebrations, and he took the opportunity to familiarise himself with the new Government.

“On July 1, I will assume the Chairmanship of CARICOM, and it is important to get to know the new Head of the Government of Guyana and his team and to work closely with the government to bring the people of the Caribbean closer,” the Barbadian Prime Minister declared.
He noted that Barbados and the Government of Guyana have had a longstanding relationship with each other and there have been many firsts that the two countries have embarked upon together. “We signed the CARIFTA (The Caribbean Free Trade Association) agreement and co-signed the Treaty of Chaguaramas together. In 1972 we had discussions to end Cuba’s isolation and lead the leadership for the rest of the de-colonisation of many. We have a long history of collaboration.”
Stuart emphasised that Guyana has contributed significantly to sugar in the Caribbean and noted many other areas of collaboration the two countries have embarked upon.
Newly-elected Prime Minister Nagamootoo pointed out that this relationship is one of brotherhood and he noted also the many aspects of politics and journalism the two countries have collaborated on. “The free press in Barbados became the central voice for the support of Guyanese journalists,” the PM noted.
Speaking on the appointment of Prime Minister Stuart as the new Chairman of CARICOM, Nagamootoo highlighted that “becoming the new Chairman of CARICOM, it is important that the two countries peruse discussions that might have been left incomplete.”
With these discussions ongoing Guyanese in Barbados can be able to access the different markets available, specifically the food market and produce market.
TOURISM POTENTIAL
Nagamootoo highlighted the great potential of tourism in both countries, adding that twining the countries can be beneficial to both entities since the tourism products of each country is vastly different.
He also thanked the Barbadian Prime Minister for his visit, noting that the two countries have a bright future ahead of them.

By Rebecca Ganesh