Trinidad and Tobago's Foreign Affairs Minister, Dr Surujrattan Rambachan
Foreign Affairs Minister of the sister Caricom state of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr Surujrattan Rambachan, has said that tremendous potential exists for Port of Spain and Georgetown to collaborate on increasing food production in the region. He also pledged his country’s support to help Guyana if oil is discovered here.
Rambachan made the comments during an exclusive interview with this newspaper in Port of Spain over the weekend. With food prices soaring internationally, Guyana’s ability to again become “the bread basket of the region” has been recognised, the foreign minister indicated.
Minister Rambachan believes that Trinidad and Guyana, which is the current chair of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR), can work together to stymie the consequences and effects of the food crisis. He stated that, if both countries work together with Brazil – which has one of the world’s leading research institutes — Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBARPA) – solutions could be found. He explained that Guyana has abundant land and fertile soil, and is already undertaking massive agricultural projects; while Trinidad has the technology and finance to make the bilateral venture work.
“Along with EMBARPA, which has extensive research knowledge and skills, we could do something about the crisis,” Rambachan said. It was noted that some countries have already halted the exportation of key commodities and food items in an attempt to ensure that there is enough food to meet national demand.
Rambachan also sees several other areas where cooperation could be had between Guyana and Trinidad. He spoke of oil exploration, explaining that T&T has been in this business for more than 100 years and has extensive knowledge and technology to maximise the gains derived from oil. He added that he does not see why the two countries could not forge stronger bilateral ties in this area, as both would benefit significantly if any oil is discovered in Guyana.
Apart from oil and agriculture, there are several other areas in which Trinidad and Guyana could cooperate, the minister said, including climate change mitigation, crime and security, politics and regional integration. He believes that the diplomatic and non-diplomatic relations between the two nations can and will be further strengthened for the good of their peoples, while noting that Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Guyana’s President Bharrat Jagdeo have already set the tone for the countries to move in that direction.
