CARICOM and CAC sign deal to bolster Agricultural Connections and Trade

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Central American Agricultural Council (CAC) have recently signed a cooperative agreement aimed at enhancing agricultural development and bolstering trade relations in agriculture between CARICOM and the Central American Integration System (SICA).

Carla Barnett, CARICOM Secretary-General, and Lucrecia Rodríguez Peñalba, Executive Secretary of CAC (SICA’s agricultural entity), signed the agreement last month at the CARICOM Secretariat in Georgetown, Guyana. This agreement, effective immediately, is a result of the CARICOM-SICA Plan of Action signed by Foreign Ministers of both regions in Belize.

Focusing on advancing agricultural and rural development in SICA and CARICOM, this agreement aims to promote various programs, projects, and mechanisms. Key areas of collaboration include climate-resilient sustainable agriculture, food security, agricultural productivity, digitalization in agriculture, and regional agricultural trade. The agreement is anticipated to facilitate tariff reductions, enhance infrastructure and logistics capabilities, encourage public-private partnerships, fortify sub-regional value chains, and boost food security in both regions.

Dr. Barnett expressed optimism about the partnership’s potential, stating, “The signing of this agreement underscores our joint commitment to addressing shared challenges in the agricultural and trade sectors.” Lucrecia Rodríguez Peñalba also stressed the significance of collaboration, highlighting, “This agreement is a crucial step towards enhancing our food systems, adapting to climate change, and supporting family farming in our regions.”

The Cooperation Agreement between CAC and CARICOM signifies the dedication of both organizations to collaborating towards sustainable agricultural and rural development in Central America and the Caribbean.