OECS Director-General says African, Caribbean nations moving forward positively

DESPITE the traumatic history that hindered development in both the Caribbean and Africa, these regions are now making significant advancements towards a prosperous future.
This was according to Dr. Didacus Jules, Director- General of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).
During his remarks at the AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum (ACTIF23) on Tuesday, the Director-General implored stakeholders from both the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and Africa to use the forum as a platform to build bridges and dismantle trade barriers.
“As the Director-General of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States, I’m delighted to underscore the vital importance of fortifying the economic and cultural bridges that link our African and Caribbean brethren,” he said.

Jules spoke on some of the industries and sectors that are individually strong but with co-operation could create opportunities for both regions.
“Behind us is the long groan of slavery and the fractured kinships of our dehumanised ancestors. With us is a new spirit of possibility and reconciliation and, ahead of us, with this Pan-Africa Caribbean partnership, is a new pathway of promise paired with the stones of collaborative initiatives, economic partnerships and cultural exchange, all of which stand to strengthen the bonds that tie our destiny together,” the OECS Director-General related.
With the world facing challenges regarding energy, food and climate, the Director-General highlighted how Africa and the Caribbean can capitalise on this to promote economic development and a better quality of life for citizens.

Tackling energy security head on, Jules said that there is vast potential hidden in solar and geothermal energies in the Caribbean and wind energy in the African continent.
Underscoring the synergy within cultural tourism between the two regions, he called for more unity and partnerships in this sector to promote joint investments.
Additionally, Jules said that crafting bilateral agreements that simplify travel and enhance tourism exchanges can enable a seamless flow that bolsters both regions’ tourism sectors.
As he expounded on the budding partnerships in almost all of the sectors, the Director-General stressed that strengthening trade and investment relations can result in a positive economic trajectory.

He related: “The power of trade and investment as catalysts for elevating our collective economic trajectory is unquestionable.”
During the opening of ACTIF23, Hugh Todd, Guyana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, said there is more than US$1 billion in two-way trade potential between the Caribbean and Africa across a wide range of products and services.
With this being said, by addressing trade barriers to market access and pouring direct investments into sectors with export potential, the minister stated that Caribbean countries can increase merchandise trade to Africa by over 50 per cent.

Tuesday marked the closure of ACTIF23, which was held under the theme, “Creating a shared prosperous future.”
ACTIF23 was introduced in 2022 to enhance the growth of trade and investment between Africa and the Caribbean, including promoting airlinks, tourism, technology transfer, financial stability, food security, industrialisation and cultural ties.

The inaugural event welcomed over 1,267 delegates from 108 countries, including participants from 50 African countries, 13 Caribbean countries, and regions as far away as Oceania.