‘It’s time for reciprocity’ – Jagdeo tells manufacturers complaining of enduring regional trade barriers

Manufacturers continue to complain about barriers that hinder the export of their products within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo said Guyana may need to impose restrictions too.

“It’s time for reciprocity in many areas.

“If you don’t take our stuff, we’re not going to allow free access to your products,” Jagdeo said in a room full of local manufacturers at the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) Presentation Awards Dinner on Thursday night.

His statement was made in response to a concern raised by Lesley Ramlall, a local manufacturer behind the ‘Only Coconuts’ brand.

Ramlall told Vice President that the company has been unable to export even a single bottle of coconut oil to Trinidad and Tobago, even as its products were being accepted in other CARICOM countries and further afield.

Jagdeo acknowledged the concern, noting it is a longstanding issue.

Beyond his stance on reciprocity, the Vice President said such issues must be raised in the public domain to place pressure on countries acting against the cooperative spirit of CARICOM.

Speaking directly to GMSA President Ramsay Ali, Jagdeo said: “You have to raise it… raise the issues. That’s how we have to work, we’re not going to take this nonsense. They do this alot. They use phytosantiary restrictions as a trade barrier.”

Phytosanitary restrictions are quarantine and biosecurity measures implemented by countries to help safeguard against the spread of pests or diseases that may be in agricultural products.

Locals have flagged how these restrictions impede regional trade. As Guyana leads CARICOM’s efforts to massively slash the region’s food import bill by growing more food and upping trade, there has been an increased focus on removing these impediments.