PRESIDENT Bharrat Jagdeo says the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) can benefit from enhanced trade with Guyana through Brazil.
He made this comment while delivering the feature address on Guyana’s Evolving Relationship with Brazil and its implications for the Caribbean at UWI St Augustine Campus on Saturday.
Among those present were historian Prof Brinsley Samaroo and St Augustine Campus principal Prof Clement Sankat.
Sankat reminded the gathering that Time magazine lauded President Jagdeo for being an indefatigable custodian of the environment — with special emphasis on Guyana’s forests and indigenous peoples.
President Jagdeo said: “We can move goods from CARICOM into Brazil through Guyana. This means in CARICOM itself we must create prosperity in this region. Only if it is done regionally, we give them attractive options.”
He admitted that while there were resources like oil and gas in T&T, and tourism it was important for Caribbean nations to innovate. “We must not confine ourselves because of the economic crisis.”
Mr. Jagdeo also lauded Brazil’s aggressive economic programme for co-ordinating policies like health defence.
He noted the countries’ borders were close and this aided trade relations.
Guyana boasts vast resources like bauxite and manganese. Apart from its natural resources, President Jagdeo said extreme emphasis was placed on First Nation Peoples. “They have been given land. They are being educated. Guyana is seen as a model for the treatment of First Nation Peoples.”
(Trinidad Guardian)