…extends US$150M line of credit for renewable energy, climate change projects

The Government of India will make available a US$14M grant for developmental projects in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), and another US$150M in Line of Credit for solar, renewable energy, and climate change related projects, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced during a meeting with CARICOM leaders.

He also announced the setting up of the Regional Centre for Excellence in Information Technology in Georgetown, Guyana and the Regional Vocational Training Centre in Belize by upgrading the existing India-funded centers in courses, training and deputation of Indian experts based on the needs and requirements of the CARICOM countries.
Guyana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Dr. Karen Cummings was among the 14 CARICOM Leaders who met with India’s Prime Minister Modi on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.

The September 25 meeting, represented the first-ever meeting with PM Modi and the CARICOM Leaders in a regional format, and according to the Indian High Commission, highlighted the steadily intensifying and deepening relations between India and partner countries of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
“PM Modi reiterated India’s firm commitment to strengthen its political, economic and cultural engagement with CARICOM. He recalled the presence of more than a million strong Indian diaspora as a vibrant and enduring link of friendship with the Caribbean,” the Indian High Commission reported.

Prime Minister of St Lucia and Chairman of CARICOM co-chaired the meeting which was attended by Heads and Ministers from the Governments of Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Jamaica, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname, the Bahamas, Belize, Grenada, Haiti and Guyana.
During the meeting, the leaders discussed the importance of strengthening the political and institutional dialogue processes, boosting economic cooperation, increasing trade and investment and fostering greater and more robust people-to-people relations. “PM Modi also laid emphasis on partnering with CARICOM countries in capacity building, development assistance and cooperation in disaster management and resilience,” the Commission disclosed.

The Indian Prime Minister also invited CARICOM countries to join the International Solar Alliance, for which Guyana is already apart, and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure.

He also used the platform to expressed condolences to the Bahamas for the destruction and lives loss as a result of Hurricane Dorian. India provided financial support in the amount of US$1M.

The CARICOM leaders welcomed the support being offered by the Indian Government. They took a decision to set up a Joint Task Force to expeditiously look into possible areas of cooperation and identify the way forward.