…as countries pledge to champion removal of regional trade barriers
…sign MoUs to deepen collaboration in tourism, defence, education
As both Guyana and Belize move into the production of refined sugar, the two countries have committed to championing the removal of regional trade barriers that impede free movement and market access within CARICOM. This message was underscored during a special sitting of the Parliament of Belize which was addressed by Belizean Prime Minister (PM) John Antonio Briceño and Guyana’s President Dr Irfaan Ali, who is on a three-day State visit to that country.
“We share a history shaped by sugar, fields were ploughed and cane cut by indentured labour and sugar exported to Europe by nationalists. As the industry evolved, it provided jobs, it educated our children, earned foreign exchange and drove the development of our colonial societies. But that was yesterday,” the Belizean PM told the Parliament. “Today [Monday], we will jointly facilitate private sector investment in the refined sugar sector. Sugar remains an agricultural mainstay for both Belize and Guyana. As Governments, we will assure the private sector that we will work diligently to ensure that CARICOM is an assured market for Belizean and Guyanese producers of refined sugar,” he added. Late last year, United States (US)-based SUCRO (Sucro Sourcing) entered into a joint venture agreement with businessmen in Belize and Guyana to construct two sugar refineries in both CARICOM nations. In Guyana, the joint venture – Demerara Sugar Refinery Inc – will establish the country’s first white sugar refinery at the former Wales Sugar Estate in Region Three (Essequibo Islands – West Demerara). The US$20 million facility, being developed in partnership with local firm GAICO Construction and General Services Inc is expected to be completed later this year. In Belize, a similar agreement was signed late last year between SUCRO and Santander Sugar Limited (SSL), one of the country’s leading sugar mills, to form Caribbean Sugar Refinery (CSR) Limited. The Caribbean imports around 200,000 tonnes of refined sugar each year, totalling US$180 million in 2024. The plant in Guyana is projected to produce 100,000 tonnes per year.
Trade barriers
In his address, President Ali emphasised that Guyana and Belize must play leading roles in achieving food security in the region. “The region must, in turn, have a fair-trade system in which our produce and production is not subjected to the bureaucracy of the system, or is not subjected to artificial barriers of trade that affect this region,” the Guyanese leader contended. “We must together champion the cause of removing the barriers to trade, especially in food in this region. For too long, the region has taken for granted our farmers and our food system. We must push back hard now to ensure that our food becomes the region’s food by a system that encourages and supports this,” President Ali emphasised. He also spoke about the 25 by 2025 + 5 agenda to slash the regional food import bill, noting that this requires the adaptation of modern technology, expansion of climate resilient farming practices, improved logistics and greater emphasis on value-added agro-processing.
Local ownership
As Belize and Guyana undertake the building out of robust food systems, President Ali underscored the critical role of the private sector of both countries. “I call upon the private sector of both countries to seek out opportunities between both countries, create partnerships in capital, in talent, in land, in technology, in marketing,” he said. “I can assure you, you have two Governments aligned in this vision of empowering the private sectors, empowering the people to grow their prosperity, advance their businesses, create jobs and enhance the economic wellbeing of the people of both countries. The private sector is central to the expansion of this relationship.”
External shocks
Recognising that both Guyana and Belize are susceptible to external shocks from fluctuations in commodity prices and supply chain disruptions, President Ali emphasised the importance of increasing local ownership of critical systems. He asserted that, “we must give greater ownership to our citizens, our private sector and those who reside in our countries.”
“If our citizens and our people in the region own our food systems, own our energy systems, own our telecoms systems, own our technology, own the things that drive our economy, then we are building resilience from within and we are building prosperity from within.”
MoUs
Meanwhile, the Belizean PM also spoke about other areas for collaboration with Guyana, including in the area of education, tourism and digitisation. The two countries took concrete steps to deepen bilateral engagement through the signing of four Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs). These agreements expand collaboration in key areas, including digital governance and emerging technologies, tourism development and investment, defence and security cooperation and education, covering scholarships, academic and professional exchanges and joint research initiatives. Prior to the singing of the MoUs Briceño during his address of a special sitting of the Parliament had explained that his country can “offer our experience in tourism” as Guyana builds its own tourism product. “Our geographic similarities provide scope for knowledge sharing. Our expertise in agriculture will be made available and educational opportunities explored,” he added. The Belizean PM also expressed that Guyana’s experience in digitisation would help his country in its own efforts in this area. Meanwhile, President Ali reiterated that Guyana’s prosperity will translate to the prosperity of the wider region, including Belize.
“Belize and Guyana may be small in size but we’re not small in principle, ambition and determination. By standing together within our region and beyond, by upholding the rule of law, strengthening democratic institutions and cooperating strategically, we can ensure that our peoples do more than endure the challenges of our time, we can ensure that they prosper,” he said.
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