(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) The Regional Agriculture Investment Forum will provide a platform for Caribbean and international parties with an interest in investing in the agriculture sector to seek business alliances with existing and potential agriculture entrepreneurs.
This was emphasised today by H. E Bharrat Jagdeo, President of Guyana and Lead CARICOM Head of Government on agriculture at the launching of the event in a ceremony at the CARICOM Secretariat in Guyana.
He stressed that the Forum is not a “knee jerk reaction” to the rising food prices across the globe. He added that for too long many have talked about maximising the potential of agriculture but this has not come to a full realisation.
President Jagdeo emphasised that across the Region the agriculture sector has not attracted a multitude of investors and now is the time to put mechanisms in place to remedy the situation. He added that agriculture as an industry has a central role to play in CARICOM countries seeking to reaping the rewards of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME).
In his remarks, Secretary-General of CARICOM H. E. Edwin Carrington added that the Region’s US$3 billion food import bill could be lowered with investments in agriculture. He added that with the shortage of food now a global reality there may well come a time when, even though possessing the money Caribbean countries may not find the food to buy.
“We have a virtual crisis situation on our hands. All hands must now come on deck – governments, private sector and Civil Society in partnership. We are going to have to change our consumption habit. It may appear difficult but we have to.” said Secretary-General Carrington.
He added that the Regional Agriculture Investment Forum is an effort to which there must be commitment.
The Chairman of the Task Force to plan the Forum, former Executive of Grace Kennedy in Jamaica, James Moss-Solomon, added that the Caribbean has to develop the mechanisms to deal with the increasing challenges with regard to food security. He added that being proactive is vital, and that the Agriculture Investment Forum should be seen as a means of Caribbean countries taking steps towards seeking to maximise the economic potential of the agriculture sector.
The Regional Agriculture Investment Forum takes place in Guyana 6-7 June 2008, and will bring together private investors from the Caribbean and elsewhere; Fund Managers and Venture capitalists seeking to diversify their portfolio; Bankers with clients operating in the agriculture sector and companies seeking strategic alliances with other businesses.
