CARICOM, Saudi officials locked in high-level meeting
/ Our Today
administratorCaribbean bloc explores tapping into US$30-billion soft loan fund
Several Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders are now locked in meetings in Saudi Arabia for the first summit between the 15-nation bloc and the Middle-Eastern country, one of the richest nations on the globe.
Among the CARICOM leaders at the summit in the capital of Riyadh are CARICOM chairman, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit of Dominica; Presidents Irfaan Ali and Chan Santokhi of Guyana and Suriname, respectively, as well as Prime Minister Keith Rowley of Trinidad and Tobago.
Most of the leaders of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) were also present at the meetings on the plane to the Middle East. The summit aims to foster trade and aid and collaborate on climate change and other issues affecting the developing world.
Matters down for discussions
They are also discussing the possibility of CARICOM tapping into a US$30-billion soft loan fund being provided by the Saudis. Prior to leaving Antigua, Prime Minister Gaston Browne said that he and his delegation are looking forward to discussions as a range of topics, including food security, air transportation links, renewable energy, finance and tourism will be on the agenda for the two days.
Skerrit is down to speak at the opening ceremony alongside King of Saudi Arabia, Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud; His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman; Abdulaziz Al Saud; prime minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; as well as Carla Barnett, secretary-general of the CARICOM.
Browne wants academic opportunities for Antiguans out of the visit. He has been quoted as saying, “We believe that we can develop academic collaboration and research initiatives through teacher exchanges and educational infrastructure development. In the area of health, we believe we can collaborate on healthcare infrastructure development including the construction and upgrading of clinics, laboratories and medical treatment facilities, along with advancing medical training opportunities, education and advancing electronic health records management.”
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