Ottawa, 16 April 2022 (TDI): The Canadian Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business, and Economic Development successfully concluded Canada-Caribbean Trade Mission on Thursday.
Mary Ng, Canada’s Minister of International Trade, led the Canada-Caribbean Trade Mission to enhance economic relations with the Caribbean nations.
The Minister’s visit focused on developing economic ties with four Caribbean countries, including Guyana, Jamaica, Barbados, and Trinidad and Tobago. Furthermore, the visit focused on clean growth and sustainable development.
Meanwhile, more than 200 Canadian businesses joined Minister Ng on her mission, both virtually and in person. She began her mission in Georgetown, Guyana.
There she met the Guyanese President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, to discuss steps to strengthen the trade and investment relationship between Canada and Guyana.
Likewise, the Canadian Commercial Corporation signed MoUs with Guyana to cooperate in areas of information and communications technologies, aerospace, clean-tech, and security.
It will invest in the country’s infrastructure and bring the benefits of Canadian technology and expertise. Moreover, during her visit to Jamaica, Minister Ng spoke with members of the Cabinet of the Government of Jamaica.
She expressed gratitude to them for the commitment to continue working with Canada to facilitate trade between the two countries. Furthermore, she acknowledged the importance to Canada of expanding beef imports into the Jamaican market.
In addition, the Minister addressed an audience of Canadian entrepreneurs. These entrepreneurs are seeking an export market in the Caribbean region.
She also addressed those exploring important opportunities in the clean technology and green infrastructure sectors.
Finally, she held a meeting with the Caribbean and Canadian women entrepreneurs to discuss their business experiences in Jamaica.
Canada-Caribbean Relations
Canada and many Caribbean countries were once part of the British empire. Canada enjoys good economic, cultural, and political ties with the region.
In 2019, the value of Canada’s trade with CARICOM members reached $1.9 billion. Moreover, trade in services was valued at $4.4 billion.
Furthermore, people-to-people ties are also well-established. More than 2 million Canadians traveled to CARICOM countries every year before the pandemic. In addition, almost the Caribbean diaspora in Canada numbers around 1 million people.
