The Honourable Hugh Hilton Todd, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation participated in the Fifty-third Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED), which was held on November 23rd and 24th, 2021.
The 53rd session of the COTED addressed matters relating to intra-regional trade and post-COVID-19 recovery. Discussions were also had in preparations for the upcoming 12th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO) slated for November 30th to December 3rd, 2021 in Geneva, Switzerland.
Guyana also sought and was given the approval to suspend the Common External Tariff (CET) on several items. This suspension serves as part of the Government plans to support the local manufacturing sector.
The sessions were held under the chairmanship of the Honourable Joseph E. Farrell, Premier and Minister of Finance of Montserrat. Guyana’s delegation to the COTED included Ambassador Elisabeth Harper, Permanent Secretary, Ambassador George Talbot, Guyana’s Ambassador to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and other officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. The COTED is responsible for the promotion of trade and economic development within CARICOM as well as overseeing the implementation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME).
November 24, 2021
