The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Manider Sidhu, is in Trinidad and Tobago for a five-day summit representing Canada at the opening ceremony of the 45th regular meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
The Caribbean Community and Common Market is a regional group of 20 developing Caribbean countries that formed a political and economic community back in 1973 that works alongside each other to shape policies, economic growth, and trade. The Bahamas, Dominica, Belize, Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago are a few countries to name that take part in this community.
Sidhu will meet with notable government members, including Amery Browne, Minster of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs and Fitzgerald Hinds, Minister of National Security, to discuss priorities regarding shared politics and economy.
Other discussion topics include furthering trade and investment, regional security and a table networking event to comprehend the opportunities and challenges for Canadian business in Trinidad, with Trinidad and Tobago being Canada’s largest merchandise trading partner in CARICOM.
In 2022, the value of bilateral merchandise totalled $588.1 million. The value of imports totalled $285.2 million, while exports were valued at $302.9 million. Manider Sidhu says, “Canada and CARICOM are tightly connected through our deep people-to-people ties, shared economic interests and our commitment to common values, such as democracy, human rights, freedom of expression and the rules-based international order. I am delighted to represent Canada at the CARICOM heads of government meeting in Trinidad and Tobago in celebration of CARICOM’s 50th anniversary. I also look forward to strengthening our bilateral relationship with Guyana, as we are committed to collaborating on shared priorities, such as inclusive economic growth, food security and natural resource management.”
Sidhu will also travel to Guyana to meet with Hugh Todd, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, to support the collaboration between Canada and Guyana’s shared priorities, such as energy transition and food security. Sidhu will also closely examine Guyana’s economic situation and potential opportunities for Canadian companies through critical political and commercial stakeholders.
Lastly, on the agenda, the Parliamentary Secretary plans on visiting the local organizations that work to support migrants and early childhood development in the indigenous communities in Guyana. Almost 50 years have passed since Canada and Guyana first established relations. Deep people-to-people ties between the two countries, meaningful trading connections, and a collaboration to advance inclusive economic development have stood the test of time.
Manider Sidhu’s trip to Trinidad and Tobago, as well as Guyana, demonstrates the importance of supporting and working with developing countries as well as Canada’s involvement in Caribbean relations.
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