by Karl Rodney
We wholeheartedly agree with the Most Honorable PJ Patterson, the former Prime Minister of Jamaica and Statesman in residence at the University of the West Indies PJ Patterson Institute for Africa Caribbean Advocacy says there needs to be a determined effort to bring about greater trade between the Caribbean and Africa.
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We agree with Mr. Patterson, this ought to be a priority for both regions, Patterson contends, and rightly so, that in a global trade system based on norms that the World Trade Organization (WTO) is responsible for enforcing the two areas must work to achieve economic growth and sustainable development.
Patterson points out that despite making up one-third of WTO membership, that less than 4% of all commerce takes place in Africa and the Caribbean. We agree that Caribbean and African nations must take major steps toward building their commercial and trade relationships. This effort would unlock what is reported to be a billion dollars in export potential.
Despite historical linkages, investment and trade between Africa and the Caribbean has been negligible. For example, while Caribbean countries are awash with fish, Africa imports, some $45 billion worth of fish from the global market. With the Caribbean accounting for less than 1% of that trade, according to the former Prime Minister, Africa and the Caribbean, are dealing with a mix of historical and modern crises, and the long-lasting effect of colonialism continues to have a crippling impact that restrains the huge growth potential of both areas.
Paterson contends that slavery was the most horrific crime against humanity and a form of dreadful genocide. He claimed that colonialism was equally repugnant and unjust, and we agree with the former Prime Minister on both counts. And it’s time to take action to correct the situation.
The International Trade Center launched a report showing that the two regions, Africa and the Caribbean has the potential had the potential for exceedingly more than a billion dollars in sectors ranging from AgriFood, healthcare to tourism, fertilizer, and automotive. There is a need for stronger African Caribbean ties as the economies of the world are facing recession. debt burden and reduced flow finance. The development of these two areas will be in the hands of the individual corporations of these areas and must be taken into account and addressed seriously.
This all supports the former Prime Minister’s position that action is needed now and it’s critical for both areas to engage.
Carib News over the decades has encouraged this kind of trade arrangement, particularly at our annual Multinational Business Conference where it is raised that working and pulling together is the only way forward, and this has to be adopted.
Ambassador Andrew Young’s theory of the Golden Triangle where we look to increase business relationships between Africa, the Caribbean, and our African American diaspora.
PJ Patterson has certainly been an advocate over the decades with this kind of collaboration and corporation. So this position is not a new one for the former Prime Minister. One that we agree with him on, one that we support and one that we urge others to pay close attention to by leaders of the two areas and by investors and influencers that can make things happen, and of course, legislators and government officials who are in a position to bring about changes. We must all work together to bring this about; the time is now to implement closer connections and cooperation.
