GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC – The regional ferry service involving Guyana, Barbados, and Trinidad and Tobago is expected to begin operations within three months.
President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali gave the update on Saturday as he addressed the opening ceremony of the XII annual IDB consultation with Caribbean Governors, which is being held here.
The ferry will allow the movement of containers and passengers, potentially boosting trade relations and advancing food security efforts.
Ali said the aim is also to bring the regional private sector on board to implement similar initiatives to enhance the supply chain and logistics arena.
“We have launched the first phase of this. In another two or three months, that ferry will begin operations, and we are hoping that this will instill confidence in the private sector and for the IDB investors; this is an excellent opportunity to bring a regional consortium together,” the head of state said.
The president also noted that this venture signals the readiness of the three countries to take action to solve shared challenges in the Caribbean region.
Ali states this proactivity falls under a joint slogan,” the coalition of the willing.”
“We are not waiting on everyone. Those who are willing to start an innovative project will go ahead, and the others will join when they are ready,” he explained.
Earlier this week, discussions got underway to establish a joint ferry service within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), where it was identified that the three countries would soon form a company to drive the process of introducing a regional ferry service.
This Company would comprise Directors from each country to facilitate operations.
At this meeting, it was also agreed that a team of technical officials from Trinidad & Tobago will visit Guyana and Barbados to inspect port infrastructure to accommodate the proposed ferry service within two weeks.
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