He told businessmen in Port-of-Spain yesterday that as a region, "we must increase the output of agricultural produce and foods in particular".

Thompson, who was the specially invited guest speaker at the annual general meeting of the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers' Association, dealt with a range of issues in his presentation entitled: The Future Of The Caricom Single Market And Economy.

He pointed to the global issues impacting on regional economies such as the growing demands of India and China and the worldwide increase in demands for food and bio-fuels. These situations, he said, were likely to continue for some time.

Against this background, he said: "We must examine the question of food security very carefully. The costs of fuel will also increase the costs of importing foods and related inputs to agricultural production. The CARICOM Council for Trade and Economic Development has been studying the issue of food security for some time.

"You have a core group of food processing firms and agriculturalists among your membership who I believe are very capable of developing a response to this rising demand for food and CARICOM governments have an obligation to ensure that our agriculture sector can meet the needs of our people," he said.

Of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), Thompson said that it was here to stay. But, that its creation would require deeper social partnerships between regional governments, the private sectors, trade unions as well as civil society organisations.

"I have consciously put emphasis on CSME not only because I was asked to speak about its future, but also because I believe that a strong and sustainable CSME is a precondition for successful competition in the global market place," Thompson added.

(ES)