MOU signed between Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago on renewed and enhanced cooperation

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad– The governments of Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana have agreed to work on trade and investment, agriculture, food security, and other issues.

This was outlined in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed early Sunday, paving the way for renewed and enchanted cooperation in various sectors.

“ By this MOU on Renewed and Enhanced Cooperation, the Parties agree to work with each other in the areas of trade and investment, agriculture and food security, security, energy, and infrastructure, and other areas as may be determined, to develop a strategic cooperation partner for the mutual benefit of their respective countries and the wider Caribbean Community.”

The agreement, signed by Guyana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd, and Trinidad and Tobago’s Minister of Foreign and Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Affairs, Dr. Amery Browne, points to the establishment of a high-level bilateral commission that will include representatives from both the public and private sectors.

The Commission will be coordinated by the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of both countries and include experts from both Parties and representatives of the public and private sector organizations concerned.

According to the MOU, the first meeting of the Commission will take place within three months, and after that, the Commission will meet annually or as otherwise agreed by the Parties.

The functions of the Commission will include:

• The formulation of specific proposals for cooperation and collaboration between the two states in identified areas.
• The supervision and execution of the present MOU.
• The examination and approval of specific projects to be undertaken by the Parties and a review of the progress of cooperation activities between the two countries.

“This MOU will enter into force on the date after the Parties notify each other through diplomatic channels of fulfilling domestic legal requirements in their respective countries for the MOU to enter into force.”

According to the agreement, the MOU will be effective for five years and will be renewed automatically for successive equal periods unless one of the Parties notifies the other Party in writing of its intention not to continue the validity of the MOU at least three months before the date of expiration of the validity of the MOU.

The MOU was signed in the presence of the President of Guyana, Dr. Irfaan Ali, and the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr. Keith Rowley.