Kamla Persad-Bissessar

The prime minister, who was addressing business leaders at a reception in Fort Lauderdale, said CARICOM, in its 37th year of existence, “must take a critical look at the challenges which it faces from the external environment and their impact on regional development.”

Persad-Bissessar has come under scrutiny for comments she made at the CARICOM summit last week about the “godfather” role Trinidad has played in CARICOM in the past and how the country intends to move forward.

“In some quarters it was felt that Trinidad and Tobago had adopted a hard-line approach to funding certain projects and programs; but we believed that previous promises perpetuated dependencies rather than promoting accountability, responsibility and independence,” Persad-Bissessar said.

She told guests she was sure they appreciated, especially in the current economic climate, the need for financial constraint and prudence.

“So too the People’s Partnership Government of Trinidad and Tobago has assessed its stance on CARICOM relations and also our ability to provide a political, social and economic environment that would mutually benefit investors and our twin-island Republic.”

The prime minister addressed regional countries, saying that now is not the time for dissent among the islands. She said now more than ever, Caribbean countries need to band together for economic growth.

Air Jamaica brand will remain – PM Persad-Bissessar

On the last leg of her trip to Jamaica, Persad-Bissessar met with Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding for bilateral talks on energy, health, crime and security, free movement of persons, agriculture, and trade and investment including the contract for the sale of Air Jamaica to Caribbean Airlines.

According to a communiqué released on the discussion, the two leaders acknowledged their mutually beneficial ties in key areas such as trade and investment, education and sports and culture. It said, “They reaffirmed their strong commitment to further enhancing these relations through regular consultations and joint action in areas of mutual interest.”

The statement also said “Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar advised that the Government of Trinidad and Tobago would honor the agreement for Caribbean Airlines (CAL) to take over the operations of Air Jamaica and announced that the brand name Air Jamaica would be maintained.”

Golding proposed that the “Ministries of Health of both countries would collaborate in the area of sickle cell disease research and management, utilizing the expertise of the Sickle Cell Unit in the Tropical Research Institute of the UWI, Mona, Jamaica, which is the only specialized facility in the English-speaking Caribbean.” Persad-Bissessar welcomed the gesture.