– says Region Three private sector head

HALIM Khan, Head of the Region Three Private Sector Inc. (R3PSInc.), has voiced strong criticism over the recent decision by Trinidad and Tobago Customs officials to ban containers of milk from Guyana, manufactured by Demerara Distillers Ltd (DDL).

Khan described the action as “in poor taste” and suggested it could have been avoided.

He emphasised that the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas guarantees the free movement of goods, services, and labour among CARICOM states.

He argued that it was egregious for Trinidad and Tobago Customs officials to clarify their policies only after the situation escalated into diplomatic tension.

“Transparency in the rules governing intra-regional trade, especially for animal products, is essential,” Khan stated.

While acknowledging Trinidad and Tobago’s need to protect its biodiversity and comply with WHO recommendations, he questioned whether the requirements stipulated by the Animal Diseases and Importation Act were adequately publicised across CARICOM.

Khan drew parallels to a decade-old incident where Trinidad and Tobago’s refusal of Jamaican patties, due to concerns over mad cow disease, led to perceptions of anti-Jamaica trade.

He suggested that better communication from Trinidad’s Ministry of Trade and Industry could prevent such issues and avoid the perception of xenophobic protectionism.

Khan also criticised Trinidad and Tobago Customs officials for their lack of diplomatic foresight.

He noted the backlash on social and mass media in Guyana, including discontent voiced by President Dr. Irfaan Ali, who argued that the milk ban violated the spirit of intra-regional trade.

Khan proposed that in the interest of regionalism and food security, Customs officials should have facilitated a swift resolution by contacting the relevant authorities to expedite the necessary permits. He questioned whether a breakdown in communication or bureaucratic red tape within Trinidad and Tobago’s Customs department and Ministry of Trade and Industry contributed to the issue.

Additionally, Khan called for all CARICOM member states to ensure their Customs departments have digitised or printed manuals detailing conditions for intra-regional trade.

He warned that the denial of CARICOM goods at member state ports could evoke fears of insularity and discrimination.

Khan underscored the importance of proactive treatment of regional traders and skilled workers for sustainable development. He highlighted the vulnerability of CARICOM nations to competition from larger economies and stressed the need to prioritise market access within the region to reduce living costs and improve quality of life.

Following a recent meeting between representatives from Trinidad and Tobago’s Ministry of Trade and Industry and Guyana’s Private Sector Commission, it was agreed that the milk ban resulted from a misunderstanding of regulatory requirements by the importer. Trinidad and Tobago’s Ministry of Trade and Industry committed to expediting the process once DDL provides the necessary information.

The incident underscores the need for CARICOM nations to address trade barriers and ensure fair treatment of goods within the regional market.

Khan reiterated Guyana’s call for reciprocal treatment in trade and the importance of removing barriers to achieve the region’s goal of reducing its food-import bill by 25 per cent in the next year.

Khan concluded, “All we want is for our goods to be treated fairly in their market, just as their goods are treated here.”