This came in his speech at the 16th Business Forum for the Greater Caribbean Region of the Caribbean Community, which commenced today, Monday, May 6, 2024, in Paramaribo, the capital of the Republic of Suriname, under the patronage and presence of  His Excellency Mr Chan Santokhi, President of the Republic of Suriname, and with the participation of high-level personalities from CARICOM and representatives from several countries and organisations.

In his speech, His Excellency stated that the joint ministerial meeting between the GCC and the Caribbean Community, held on September 18, 2023, in New York, confirmed the ambitious desire of the foreign ministers of the GCC countries to build stronger cooperation relations with the Caribbean countries. 

"During the meeting, the two sides signed a memorandum of understanding and a joint action plan (2023-2027) that identified the main objectives and mechanisms for political dialogue, trade facilitation, investment promotion, and tourism cooperation. It will contribute to increasing trade and investment flows between the two regions, as well as cooperation between the two sides in all international forums and coordination of their joint efforts to address the challenges facing the global economy," His Excellency said.

He emphasised that the participation of the GCC in today's meeting carries two important messages, adding: "First, it is a practical step towards developing a close and long-term partnership that serves the interests and achieves our desired goals. Second, it is evidence of the readiness, seriousness, and commitment of the GCC to enhance our relationship with the Caribbean Community through the implementation of the joint action plan that was adopted last year," 

Furthermore, in his speech, His Excellency showcased a number of figures, statistics, and achievements accomplished by the GCC countries at the regional and global levels, which have placed them among the strongest economies in the world and made them an attraction for all the economies at the global level. 

In conclusion, His Excellency pointed out that all the GCC member states, through their ambitious economic vision, aspire to build an economic bloc characterised by sustainable development, common prosperity, a world free from poverty, and the ability to confront global economic challenges that require commitment to common values and objectives. 

"This is with the aim of ensuring a more prosperous, just, and sustainable global future. Today, the GCC countries look forward to advancing their cooperation with the Caribbean Community in order to implement the joint action plan, develop our mutual relations, provide an attractive climate for investment and trade between the two sides, and enhance partnership and sustainable development," His Excellency stated.