PM urges ACTIF to deliver solutions
GRENADA: PRIME Minister Kassim Majaliwa has called on the 4th Afri-Caribbean Trade and Investment Forum (ACTIF 2025) to deliver concrete solutions to the trade and investment challenges facing African and Caribbean nations.
Representing President Samia Suluhu Hassan during the Heads of State and Government dialogue at the official opening of the forum, held at the Radisson Conference Centre in St George’s, Grenada, the Premier said the challenges must be discussed openly, with all the barriers that hinder trade between the countries identified.
He also stressed the need for both African and Caribbean nations to create conducive environments for attracting investment and to demonstrate strong cooperation with investors who are ready to commit to long-term ventures in the region.
“In Tanzania, we have a great example of Dangote, who has made a significant investment in a cement manufacturing plant,” he noted.
Other high-level participants include Prime Minister of Dominica, Roosevelt Skerritt, Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Gaston Browne, Prime Minister of Saint Kitts and Nevis, Dr Terrance Drew, Prime Minister of St Lucia, Philip Pierre along with Rwanda’s Minister for Trade and Industry, Prudence Sebahizi.
ACTIF was established in 2022 to strengthen economic and cultural ties between African and Caribbean nations.
Over the past three years, the forum has contributed significantly to enhancing collaboration between public and private sectors, resulting in the signing of trade and cooperation agreements valued at over 4 billion US dollars.
The momentum has led to discussions around establishing a formal trade zone between Africa and the Caribbean.
For his part, the Grenada Premier, Dickon Mitchell said that there is a need to formalise resources and strengthen economic platforms, including the Afri-Caribbean Trade and Investment Forum.
“This step will ensure that our young people understand that the only way our countries can grow is through the economic decisions we make today, especially those aimed at strengthening cooperation in economic and trade matters between Africa and the Diaspora,” he said.
The President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank, Prof Benedict Oramah said that the forum should establish its institutions to be capable of accelerating development.
“We are currently working on the establishment of a Caribbean Exim Bank, which we believe will play a major role in facilitating trade and promoting industrial growth, just as Afreximbank has done across Africa,” he said.
The core objective of ACTIF is to strengthen the historical and cultural ties between Africa and the Caribbean, create a conducive environment for trade and investment between the two regions and promote shared economic development.
The PM is accompanied by Zanzibar’s Minister of State in the President’s Office for Labour, Economy and Investment, Mr Shariff Ali Sharriff and Tanzania’s Acting Ambassador to Cuba, Caribbean, Central America, Venezuela and Guyana, Mr Wilbroad Kayombo.
