Guyana’s President voices worry following the rejection of products by customs in Trinidad & Tobago

Guyana’s President Mohamed Irfaan Ali has expressed deep concerns regarding Trinidad & Tobago’s recent refusal to accept a shipment of milk and water from Guyana, citing potential negative impacts on regional integration efforts.

Ali, who also chairs the 15-member regional integration movement, conveyed through a statement to the Caribbean News Desk that ongoing initiatives are in place to dismantle trade barriers and promote regional economic growth. He stressed the significance of nurturing trade cooperation to broaden regional economies and enhance business opportunities throughout the Caribbean.

Amid Trinidad & Tobago’s silence on the matter, eyebrows were raised with the presence of Minister of Trade and Industry, Paula Gopee-Scoon, in Guyana for the 58th meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED).

Both the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in Guyana reiterated the imperative of adhering to the protocols of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), condemning Trinidad & Tobago’s rejection as a breach of the spirit of Caribbean integration. Guyana, underscoring the importance of complying with sanitary and phytosanitary standards, seeks a prompt resolution to the issue to uphold the principles of regional cooperation and facilitate market access.