Executive Director of the Caribbean Export Development Agency (CEDA), Dr. Damie Sinanan, recently emphasized the need for Guyana to share its economic models for diversified growth with other Caribbean nations so that they too may be able to drive regional integration and collective growth.
Speaking on the Energy Perspectives podcast, a programme hosted by the Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo, Sinanan highlighted the strategic importance of collaboration and knowledge-sharing in fostering a unified Caribbean region.
Sinanan was keen to note as well, the vision articulated by President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, which involves not only leveraging Guyana’s burgeoning oil and gas sector but also using the country’s advancements in diversification, green technologies, and digitalization as examples for others to follow. Underlining this perspective, he said Guyana’s progress could serve as a blueprint for other Caribbean nations, particularly in areas such as technological innovation and sustainable development.
He stressed that the Caribbean’s relatively small size and individual economic limitations necessitate a collective approach to addressing challenges. “We can’t approach it as 15 different member states because we’re too small,” Sinanan asserted. “We don’t have the scale. If we unite, come together, do business together, share technologies, share know-how, collaborate—that’s the only way we’re going to move forward,” he added.
This regional synergy, he said, could lead to a more robust and resilient economic framework, benefiting all member states and contributing to a stronger, more unified Caribbean.
“You know, the oil and gas industry is really taking off. But you can see the investment in diversification. You can see the investment in green technologies, you can see the investment in digitalization, internet penetration,” he said, adding, “If these models can be shared and we can work together as a region, it can really benefit us.”
The Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) plays a crucial role in the region’s economic development by focusing on private sector growth. Its primary objectives include enhancing the capacity and competitiveness of businesses, promoting exports, and attracting foreign investment.
According to Sinanan, these efforts are essential for stimulating economic development across the Caribbean. The agency also works closely with the private sector to bolster their abilities, expand their market reach, and generate more foreign exchange and employment opportunities.
