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“Best way to fight poverty is to increase the capacity of a nation” President Ramotar
By Latoya Giles
President Donald Ramotar on Thursday last, while addressing the 11th European Development Fund Caribbean Regional Programming Seminar, told participants that the best way to fight poverty was to increase the capacity of a nation.
President Ramotar said that while the European Union and the Caribbean have differences, they still have the majority on ‘common positions’.
President Donald Ramotar
According to the President, Europe has made an important contribution to the region. It’s not just a relationship regarding economic issues but a mutually beneficial relationship according to him.
Ramotar also made specific mention of the support which has been given to Guyana, especially as it relates to the country’s sea defence and conservation of coastland programmes.
The President also praised the EDF’s support for the local sugar industry, which is a significant economic and employment force in Guyana. Ramotar also recommended that the EU look at new approaches of multi-country programming in agriculture, with the aim of reducing the region’s food import bill.
The President also urged European Union (EU) officials to undertake a reappraisal of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) to determine whether any tangible benefits have accrued to the signatory nations since it took effect five years ago.
European Union Development Commissioner Andris Piebalgs in his remarks noted that although EU remains committed to strong ties with the Caribbean, the region has to do better on project implementation.
He also pointed to the need for the highest standards of accountability and transparency.
The Commissioner also voiced his concerns on security, saying that it was a prerequisite for social and economic progress.
The Commissioner announced that EU plans to boost cooperation with Haiti and unveiled a 1 billion Euro grant under the new funding programme.
Commissioner Piebalgs said that there is need to deliver value for money and to think outside the box. He explained that the EU has been striving to do just that, setting up new mechanisms for blending loans and grants.
He said that via the Caribbean Investment Facility, the EU can work with investment banks and gather sufficient resources for larger-scale infrastructure projects. He noted that several Caribbean countries have a limited population adding that these projects can be particularly effective when pursued at regional levels.
Commissioner Piebalgs pointed out that this is especially true for the energy sector, where the new CARICOM energy policy provides a solid basis for joint actions in the years ahead. And in addition to ‘blending’, he said that they must be open and ready to identify other innovative mechanisms to finance investments.
“In times of financial crisis and budgetary constraints, it is even more important to ensure the highest possible level of accountability and transparency,” the Commissioner posited.
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