TT CHAMBER SAYS CARICOM VITAL FOR BUSINESS

CCNTV6

The Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce says its members "regard CARICOM as a critical economic partner"..  However, the TT Chamber says that it does not interpret the recent public comments by "Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar about the Caribbean Community "as any indication of a withdrawal from CARICOM."  Juhel Browne reports.

Transcript

00:00The Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce reaffirms that its members regard CARICOM as a critical economic partner.

00:09Just days after, Prime Minister Kamala Pesad-Besessa said that CARICOM is not a reliable partner at this time.

00:16In a statement on Tuesday, the TT Chamber said that for many local businesses across manufacturing, services and non-energy exports,

00:25the CARICOM market remains an essential source of growth, market diversification and foreign exchange earnings.

00:33Last week, the Prime Minister said that beneath what she called the thin mask of unity,

00:38there are many widening fissures in CARICOM that, if left unaddressed, will lead to its implosion.

00:45On Sunday, Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Brown said that in 2024 alone,

00:50Trinidad and Tobago earned more than U.S. $1.1 billion in foreign exchange from trade with CARICOM.

00:58Prime Minister Pesad-Besessa said on Sunday that CARICOM has aligned itself with what she identified as

01:04Venezuela's narco-government headed by a dictator.

01:08The Prime Minister then declared that Trinidad and Tobago does not support dictatorship and drug trafficking

01:14and does not support CARICOM in, quote, their zone of peace fakery, unquote,

01:20and that her priority is in the best interests of the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago.

01:27Opposition Senator and former Foreign Affairs Minister Dr. Amy Brown said,

01:30There has also been speculation in the public domain about Trinidad and Tobago's future in CARICOM.

01:52However, the government has not announced any intention to withdraw Trinidad and Tobago from CARICOM.

01:58And the TT Chamber said that it does not interpret the recent public comments by Prime Minister Kamla Pesad-Besessa

02:06as any indication of a withdrawal from CARICOM.

02:10The TT Chamber then said the Prime Minister's comments about CARICOM highlight the ongoing need to ensure

02:16that regional integration evolves in a manner that balances cooperation with respect for national sovereignty,

02:23security considerations, and domestic policy space while remaining firmly anchored in shared regional economic objectives.

02:33The TT Chamber said that CARICOM remains Trinidad and Tobago's second-largest trading partner outside of the United States

02:39and our country has consistently played a constructive and influential role in advancing regional trade and economic cooperation.

02:48The TT Chamber said that, from its perspective, the priority remains continuity and predictability

02:55as businesses are focused on sustained market access, efficient trade facilitation,

03:01and reliable transport and logistics linkages across the region.

03:05Fundamentals, which the Chamber said, are essential for firms to plan with confidence,

03:10make long-term investments, and remain competitive in an increasingly challenging global environment.

03:17The TT Chamber further said that it is therefore their hope that these discussions do not result in unintended disruptions to regional commerce.

03:27Jewel Brown, TV6 News.

Category

Transcript

Be the first to comment

Recommended