By St. Paul’s News Team
June 14 2026 | Local
Antigua and Barbuda has renewed its call for measures to ease the cost of living across the region, with Minister of Foreign Affairs, Immigration and Trade, Hon. E.P. Chet Greene, leading the country’s delegation to the 62nd Regular Meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) and presenting a request for the extension of the suspension of the Common External Tariff (CET) on a range of basic food items.
The meeting was held from June 11 to 12, 2026, at the CARICOM Secretariat in Georgetown, Guyana, bringing together regional policymakers to address key trade and economic issues affecting Member States.
Addressing the Council, Minister Greene outlined Antigua and Barbuda’s proposal to extend the suspension of the CET on selected essential food products for an additional year, citing the continuing impact of global economic challenges on food prices and supply chains.
“With numerous ongoing global crises affecting trade throughout the world, our vulnerable economies have undoubtedly felt the effects,” Greene told the Council. “The disruption to energy markets has adversely affected global supply chains, unsettled financial markets, and increased the prices of basic goods. As leaders, we must respond to these challenges.”
He noted that the proposed extension is intended to provide continued relief to consumers across the region as governments grapple with inflationary pressures and food security concerns resulting from external economic shocks.
Antigua and Barbuda had previously secured approval for a similar measure at an earlier COTED meeting. According to Greene, that decision contributed to reductions in the prices of several food items, providing meaningful relief to households throughout the twin-island nation.
Beyond the tariff request, the minister encouraged CARICOM Member States to strengthen their productive capacity, foster entrepreneurship, and embrace technological innovation to ensure the region remains competitive in an increasingly dynamic global economy.
The two-day meeting also examined several key regional priorities, including an assessment of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), the advancement of a regional digital trade policy, developments within the multilateral trading system, and CARICOM’s external economic and trade relations.
COTED serves as one of CARICOM’s principal decision-making bodies and is responsible for promoting trade and economic development throughout the Community. It also oversees matters related to the operation and advancement of the CSME.
Joining Minister Greene at the meeting were Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to CARICOM, His Excellency Dr. Clarence Henry; Deputy National Authorising Officer, Ms. Barbara Williams; Senior Foreign Service Officer, Mr. Kurt Williams; and Project Development Officer, Ms. Ileathea Cabral.
The delegation’s participation underscored Antigua and Barbuda’s continued commitment to regional cooperation and the pursuit of policies aimed at strengthening economic resilience and improving the well-being of citizens across the Caribbean.