Referencing recent moves between Guyana and Barbados to remove trade barriers, President Irfaan Ali on Friday night sounded a warning for other CARICOM nations that are bent on making it tougher for the local manufacturing sector to take advantage of the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME).
“But we cannot be serious in this region about integration — all the fancy talk — if we are not willing to remove the barriers. And we are going to lead the charge to remove the barriers on products all across this region. There will be consequences for those who think they can keep the barriers forever. I am very frank with this… if you believe that you want to keep the barriers forever, go right ahead. But trust me, there will be consequences,” Ali told the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) award ceremony and dinner, at the Princess Ramada Hotel, Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD).