CARICOM sisters, Guyana and Barbados, continue to nurture and expand their friendship in a manner that seems destined to deliver prosperity for its people.
Just recently, President, Dr. Irfaan Ali disclosed during the opening ceremony of Barbados’ Agro Fest 2022 that the Black Belly Sheep Initiative, launched in March, between the two countries has been expanded. Ali shared that this new development will see land being allocated to selective groups in Guyana as well as to youths from Barbados.
President Ali said, “We are setting aside 50 acres of land to be owned by young people as part of the Black Belly Sheep project in Guyana, 50 acres to be owned by persons with disability, 50 acres to be owned by single parents, women and importantly, 50 acres that will be owned by your young people here in Barbados.”
The President added that the farms will be working together in an integrated way to supply the market in Barbados. “We are working on training your butchers here so that they can do the best cuts, and Barbados can work on creating that logistics hub of moving these products on along the market chain. These are the types of initiatives that will…create a long-term sustainable relationship to what we are advancing and the path we are taking.”
President Ali noted that the model Barbados and Guyana are building can be replicated for success across the entire region. For this to work efficiently and effectively, he said, countries in the region cannot see themselves as competitors. He opined that CARICOM states must see themselves as a collective working together for one common goal and vision which is to give the best possible opportunity for prosperity to citizens at a sustainable cost.
Prime Minister (PM) of the Republic of Barbados, Mia Amor Mottley who also made remarks at the opening ceremony, lauded President Ali for his commitment to the region, especially as it relates to advancing his vision of reducing the food importation bill by 25% by 2025.
In addition to Ali, the PM also lauded Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha for moving with “lightning speed” over the course of the last 18 months to improve relations on a number of issues between the two states.
Barbados’s Agro Fest saw representation from more than 150 Guyanese and over 50 local businesses.
Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond; Minister Mustapha and other representatives of the Government and Guyana’s private sector also attended the event.
