PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – Trinidad and Tobago and Grenada have agreed to extend their existing cooperation in the energy sector. They will be signing a data use agreement next week.
A joint statement issued on Friday evening following talks between Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar and her Grenadian counterpart, Dickon Mitchell, noted that the two countries “ are desirous of continuing cooperation in the energy sector”.
The statement noted that in 2012, the two countries had executed a framework agreement concerning energy sector cooperation for 10 years from September 3 that year, “ with automatic renewal pursuant to Article 10 of the Agreement and therefore is still in force”.
The statement said that, as a result, Trinidad and Tobago “will seek approval and communicate” with Grenada, the members of the Steering Committee for Trinidad and Tobago, within the next three weeks, to activate discussions on the matter.
“As part of this continuing arrangement, the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries of Trinidad and Tobago will be signing a data use agreement with Grenada in the next week, which provide the Government of Grenada with access to seismic and well data in the North Coast of Trinidad and Tobago so that they can continue work on the regional technical study which is being done over the Grenada acreage.”
The statement said that Port of Spain will also be collaborating with a Working Group established by the Grenadian government to assist with the development of a regulatory framework for the petroleum sector in Grenada, and to extend technical personnel who can review the study and work being done by the consultants.
The statement said that Friday’s bilateral meetings “were a reaffirmation of the economic cooperation” between the two countries, and in continuation of this economic cooperation, several initiatives will be pursued.
It stated that Grenada will focus on completing the technical study and having data available for review by companies. Additionally, the unlicensed areas in Grenada can be a primary focus for companies to explore in the short to medium term.
In addition, Trinidad and Tobago can assist with developing a promotional campaign for Grenada’s acreage, with the Port of Spain supporting the participation of multinational companies in providing technical and institutional assistance to the Government of Grenada in the energy sector.
The statement said that the two prime ministers “ expressed a dedicated interest in exploring new avenues for bilateral cooperation, grounded in the longstanding ties of friendship and mutual respect between the two nations.
“Among the key topics discussed was potential medical collaboration, to assist with the current shortage of specialist doctors in Grenada,” it said, adding “both leaders firmly committed to actively deepening bilateral relations in areas of interest through sustained, meaningful engagement and collaboration, with immediacy”.
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