–Guyana, DR could combine technologies to advance regional food production, President Ali tells Caribbean Forum
THE growing partnership between Guyana and the Dominican Republic (DR) could unlock tremendous opportunities to advance the region’s food eco-system, Guyana’s President Dr. Irfaan Ali has said.

The Head of State, during a panel discussion at the first United Caribbean Forum at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) on Tuesday, highlighted that efforts are underway to advance the country’s food production to ensure food security.

Guyana’s natural resources – arable land and abundant freshwater—position the country as a major player to meet regional food security targets and address malnutrition and hunger.
This combined with the technologies already adopted by the Dominican Republic could unlock greater opportunities within the sector, President Ali said.

“If we are to apply this with the technology that already exist in the DR then we could build a food eco-system here that is second to none,” President Ali said.
In addition to this, Guyana’s geographical location is ideal for wider partnerships with its Latin American counterparts to advance regional food production.

“We are in close proximity of northern Brazil and the future of industry, food, and services in northern Brazil rely heavily on Guyana building the infrastructure and expanding its port to make northern Brazil viable,” President Ali said.
He added: “Our positioning as a country offers us that opportunity to be not only a bridge but also an opportunity for expansion in Brazil and in DR.”

Former United States President, Bill Clinton, who also joined Tuesday’s panel discussion, lauded Guyana’s government for its sustainable development initiatives.

“I think your priorities in terms of developing a more sustainable agriculture that will both generate more income and better nutrition and better health, dealing with the challenges of climate change and having a sustainable energy future, these things if you achieve them in the right way, will cause other people to follow you,” the former United States President said.

President Clinton further pledged support to the two nations to strengthen regional growth and integration.
“This partnership between governments and businesses and NGOs between the Dominican Republic and Guyana, I hope, is the tip of the iceberg.

I hope it will give new life to CARICOM, and new life to any other organisation that is active here, because you have this amazing opportunity to blend the strength of numbers with the strength of individual gifts,” the former President said.
Clinton said he will lend support through his organisation, the Clinton Global Initiative, by way of providing support to further bridge the existing gaps and foster integration in the Americas.

“The Americas need to work more closely together and, in many ways, the smallest countries by population are the most successful where economies of scale are not as important as personal contact and personal responsibility. But it is hard to raise the capital to take all of the small countries forward together, so you have this dilemma where, in theory, the smallest countries could be the most successful,” he said.