MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN FUNDS are being left untouched as Caribbean agencies spend months haggling over minor details or, like the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), are not proactive.
The harsh criticism of the lack of drive by regional agencies came from African Caribbean and Pacific Group Secretary General Dr Patrick Gomes, who said that the negotiating institution had fought for the funds only for the Caribbean not to use them, while Africa has been accessing them.
He cited Barbados’ tourism industry and the high Caribbean agriculture food bill as areas where the fund could help.
“We had the agriculture policy programme. I’m very disappointed in that. We keep speaking about the agriculture food bill and . . . between IICA, CARICOM and Cardi spending a year and a half to discuss on what a piece of paper should be the MOU [memorandum of understanding] between them,” he said. (AC)
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