Pres. Ali pushes urgent drive to unlock Guyana–T&T economic partnership

Latest update April 11th, 2026 12:35 AM Apr 11, 2026 News (Kaieteur News) – President Irfaan Ali has called for the rapid removal of bureaucratic barriers to deepen economic cooperation between Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago, as both countries move to strengthen trade, investment, and regional integration. Delivering the feature address at the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce business meeting at the Hyatt Regency last Friday, the Guyanese leader said the two oil-and gas-producing nations must act quickly to future-proof their economies through stronger collaboration. He urged that lingering administrative challenges be addressed urgently to allow for more effective partnerships between businesses and governments. “If we care about partnership, if we care about building consortiums, and if we care about building a joint economic front between Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago, then we must care about fixing the problem,” he said. “Let’s get in that room, lock ourselves up for 72 hours and fix the damn problem.” The president said opportunities for cooperation extend beyond energy, pointing to agriculture and value-added industries, including Guyana’s soybean production and Trinidad and Tobago’s cocoa sector as areas for potential joint development. He also commended the ANSA McAL Group for its investments in Guyana, including the establishment of a shopping mall, while noting that more Trinidad and Tobago-based business groups have yet to fully explore opportunities in sectors such as mining. He further raised concerns about immigration procedures in Trinidad and Tobago, saying they create delays that can hinder travel and regional business efficiency, including for carriers such as Caribbean Airlines. His remarks came alongside a bilateral meeting with Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, where both leaders agreed to advance a development, trade, and economic agenda aimed at strengthening relations between the two countries. Discussions focused on food security and investment, energy integration, technology exchange, human capital development, strengthened security cooperation, and the establishment of a joint working group to address barriers to trade and competitiveness. Both sides also agreed that Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar will undertake an official visit to Guyana, and that a joint public and private sector working group will be established to advance development initiatives and resolve outstanding challenges. President Ali also expressed appreciation for Trinidad and Tobago’s support for Guyana’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, thanking the Prime Minister and the people of Trinidad and Tobago for their continued engagement. Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed. Your children are starving, and you giving away their food to an already fat pussycat. Apr 11, 2026 …GBF eyes impact at 3×3 debut in Games Kaieteur Sports – Guyana has officially begun its preparations for a historic debut in basketball at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland,...Apr 11, 2026 (Kaieteur News) – There was once a time when Guyana remembered what a spine felt like. In the 1970s, Forbes Burnham did not dabble in the evasions of “balanced statements.” He called apartheid by its proper name, broke relations with South Africa, and barred the traffic of sport and commerce...Apr 05, 2026 By Sir Ronald Sanders (Kaieteur News) – The Caribbean has not set out to loosen its trade dependence on the United States. It is being driven to do so. For generations, Caribbean importers and consumers have looked first to the American market. They have done so for reasons of preference and...Apr 11, 2026 Kaieteur News – On April Fool’s Day, in another publication, I called for the Guyana Government to scrap talks on the proposed Corentyne Bridge to Suriname. I wasn’t fooling around, but serious as a root canal (without Novocain). On April 3, in Demerara Waves again, the Georgetown...Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email. Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms. Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491. Or by Email: glennlall2000@gmail.com / kaieteurnews@yahoo.com