US committed to economic growth and poverty eradication in the Caribbean

The United States has reiterated its commitment to economic growth and prosperity in the Caribbean region, as countries continue to find their way through the COVID-19 pandemic.

The United States has reiterated its commitment to economic growth and prosperity in the Caribbean region, as countries continue to find their way through the COVID-19 pandemic.

The restatement of U.S. commitment to the region came as U.S. Department of Commerce Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Western Hemisphere, Ian Saunders, provided the keynote address for the American Chamber of Commerce of Trinidad and Tobago (AmChamTT), yesterday.  He spotlighted competitiveness, transparency, and security as pillars that support economic growth and job creation in the United States and in the Caribbean.

The Commerce Department Deputy Assistant Secretary said that the United States acts in its own, and in the Caribbean’s best interest, when it helps neighbouring nations build open economies and create opportunity for all their peoples. 

“Let me assure you that the United States will remain a steadfast and committed partner, as we work to move our region towards its enormous potential as an engine of growth, opportunity and poverty reduction for its own citizens, and for the global economy,” he said. 

Focussing on the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the region in terms of lives lost, and suffering endured, Mr Saunders spoke of the importance of economic engagement between the United States and the Caribbean.

“In the face of this monumental challenge, all governments are asking how to deliver prosperity, jobs, and hope for their people,” he noted.

Image courtesy U.S. Embassy of Trinidad and Tobago.

Deputy Assistant Secretary Saunders told the AmCham members that the pandemic’s strains on public finances have led to the deferral of public infrastructure projects or worse—caused countries to turn to new sources of debt finance that do not operate with the same transparency as private capital markets. 

He listed other common challenges facing the region—namely addressing climate change; accelerating energy transition; ensuring security; improving healthcare; and the need to build infrastructure—stating that governments cannot, and should not, address these challenges alone. 

Mr Saunders said that the U.S. Department of Commerce, in partnership with U.S. embassies in 14 Caribbean markets, is planning a Caribbean Region Trade Mission and Business Conference for October.  The trade mission will connect U.S. companies to opportunities in the Caribbean region, including in Trinidad and Tobago. 

According to Deputy Assistant Secretary Saunders, the “Trade Americas – Business Opportunities in the Caribbean Region Conference” will feature region-specific sessions, and resources on market entry strategies, export compliance, logistics, disaster resilience and recovery, and trade financing.  It will also include sessions on financing and legal and transparency issues.