London, UK. Minister Grant arrived in London, England to participate in the first Commonwealth Trade Ministers Meeting.
The Ministerial Meeting organised by the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council brings together Trade Ministers from across the Commonwealth over a four-day period to discuss harnessing the Commonwealth advantage in a changing global trade landscape.
Minsters are also expected to explore how they can leverage opportunities and address challenges to intra-Commonwealth trade and investment and to look at preparations for the next Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting scheduled for London in 2018.
“With the many disruptions taking place globally, I think this is a very timely and useful opportunity for the Commonwealth to seek to add value to its member states as we try to create more pathways for economic growth, people security, people empowerment and economic resilience for our countries,” said Minister Grant.
The Minister also expressed his enthusiasm for exchanging ideas with other colleague Trade Ministers on the impact of the global trade slowdown and its implications for small vulnerable states like St. Kitts and Nevis in achieving their Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). “I must say, I am particularly interested in learning how the Commonwealth can assist our small vulnerable states in strengthening the trade architecture to benefit us and whether Commonwealth support will be forthcoming in helping to boost Commonwealth trade for instance through a Commonwealth Trade Finance Facility for Small States”; said the Honourable Minister.
On the first day of his visit, Minister grant held meetings early in the day at the House of Lords to further develop opportunities based on earlier discussions regarding investment in the tourism sector in the Federation. Mr Grant spoke later of the meeting which he described as “positive with important opportunities for growth in the Federation.” Minister Grant returned later to the House of Lords where he joined fellow Trade Ministers for an expanded CARIFORUM meeting with the UK’s Foreign Office, the Department of International Trade and the Department of International Development, to map out a possible post-Brexit trade engagement with the wider Caribbean and the United Kingdom.
Minister Grant was accompanied by His Excellency, Dr Kevin M. Isaac, High Commissioner and Mr Eustace Wallace, Counsellor.
