Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders yesterday agreed that regional trade barriers must be removed and investments in shipping are required if they are going to achieve food security and the goals of 25 by 2025.
The calls for a review of trade policies and investments were made during the opening of the three day Agri-Investment Forum and Expo. It is the regional body’s goal to reduce the dependence on imported food items from outside of CARICOM by 25% by 2025.
The leaders in their addresses acknowledged that they must work together to ensure this vision becomes a reality and not another missed opportunity for the region as had occurred with the Jagdeo Initiative that was launched in 2007 to promote food security and regional trade.