Air bridge between Africa, CARICOM, PM suggests

A direct air link between Africa and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) is one of several recommendations put to leaders in their first-ever joint summit held virtually on Tuesday.

The idea, proposed by Prime Minister Mia Mottley was among several discussed for economic and social development and the promotion and expansion of trade and investment at the meeting, which was conceived in 2019 but postponed last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mottley told the leaders that the two regions had the ability to strengthen ties and fight for improvement in several areas including that of trade, air links, the climate crisis and access to concessional financing.

In addition to supporting a call for the summit to be an annual event, Mottley proposed that the two regions agreed to a weekly direct airline flight between Africa and CARICOM “even if it means that we may have to, initially, subsidise it”.

“The only thing that stops us from having a direct air link between Africa and the Caribbean is the will of those of us who continue not to recognise the importance of unlocking 1.4 billion people who have a common ancestry to be able to work with each other,” said Mottley.

Pointing to the similarities between the two regions in culture and food, she said these were areas that could also be used to create economic wealth and prosperity.

“Let us equally recognise that the opportunities of technology have shown that it is possible to leap frog aspects of our development,” she added.

Mottley recommended a “dedicated and highly empowered public/private sector mechanism that enables the development of the African/Caribbean economy particularly in the areas of digital technology, creative industries, renewable energy and the life sciences”.

She added that this mechanism could help to mobilise funding to finance development of government, companies and individuals in the two regions.

She further suggested the establishment of “a joint African Union-CARICOM mass media platform or a mechanism that facilitates the exchange of news, information and artistic programming and sports”.

Mottley also joined her colleagues in calling for a coordinated approach in putting forward a case for reparations and for reform of multilateral institutions “so that we can unlock the potential to pursue development on behalf of our people”.

Gaston Browne, CARICOM Chairman and Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, pointed out that between Africa and CARICOM there was voting power of 69 nations in the UN, insisting that “this power” should be used effectively.

In his recommendations, Browne called for the abolition of all visa requirements between the two regions, a multilateral air services agreement, an investment protection plan, as well as a double taxation agreement between African and Caribbean countries.

He proposed that September 7 be celebrated annually as Africa-CARICOM Day.

Prime Minister Browne also called for the creation of a Forum of African and Caribbean Territories and States (FACTS), to be managed jointly by the secretariats of the African Union and CARICOM.

He said: “We should charge the secretariats of the African Union and CARICOM to present to us within the next six months, for approval at our meetings next year, the founding charter and memorandum of operation of our forum including proposals to overcome existing obstacles to trade and investment.”

Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta, the inaugural summit’s chair, suggested both regions should strengthen ties and build social, political and economic linkages to help promote progress and prosperity.

He highlighted the potential for cooperation between Africa and CARICOM in sustainable exploration, job creation and the strengthening of food security through the blue economy.

He also called for cooperation in the fight against climate change and improvements in the regions’ health systems.

President Kenyatta told the gathering: “It is imperative that together we incorporate climate action into our national policies and long-term development plans and adopt global best practices to mitigate and adapt to the threats posed by climate change.

“We must do what it is to build our own manufacturing capacity for vaccines and critical medical supplies. In addition, we must strengthen research, surveillance and monitoring capacity in order to mount effective responses to COVID-19 and other possible pandemics in the future.”

Pointing to rising debt levels, President Kenyatta also called for cooperation between the two regions to ensure debt sustainability while prioritising spending.

“This clearly is a task that calls for resourcefulness and innovativeness in the face of the pandemic,” he said.
(marlonmadden@barbadostoday.bb)