The Chair of the CARICOM Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED), Hon. Kerrie Symmonds, has urged regional trade ministers to take decisive measures to address urgent trade and economic challenges facing the Caribbean community.
Addressing the opening of the Sixtieth Regular Meeting of COTED at the CARICOM Secretariat Headquarters in Georgetown, Guyana, on Tuesday, 11 June 2025, Minister Symmonds highlighted the significant impact of global economic turbulence on Caribbean businesses. He noted, “Two years ago, we could never have imagined the turmoil with which the global trading system and the global economy are now confronted. Our business community is reeling from cancelled export orders, the imposition of new and unexpected tariffs, and unprecedented uncertainties.”
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Barbados emphasized the necessity for action, calling on COTED to address pressing trade and economic issues decisively. He underscored the importance of facilitating CARICOM exports’ entry into international markets with minimal barriers. “The question of whether our exports can enter markets with the least possible barriers and whether imports reach us in a timely, safe, and affordable manner, will all impact the performance of our economies and determine whether we thrive or struggle as a Community.”
During the two-day meeting held from 10-11 June, CARICOM trade ministers discussed a range of issues, including the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME), the proposed implementation of the revised Common External Tariff (CET), updates from the Sectoral Working Group on CARICOM Rules of Origin, and reports from the Monitoring Mechanisms on Sugar, Cement, and Rice.
The agenda also covered significant external trade concerns, such as the effects of the America First Policy on CARICOM, negotiations related to CARICOM-Colombia trade agreements, and Belize’s partial scope agreement with El Salvador.
Additional topics included regional standards, an update on the industrial policy, and mechanisms for public procurement.
There are so many jobs in the region,the so called UWP ducktar just cannot get one.Who is going to hire him anyway,with his record of dishonesty.