Elizabeth Morgan | Emphasising trade, investment and security: Visit of the UK foreign secretary to the Caribbean

THE FOREIGN, Common-wealth and Development Secretary of the United Kingdom (UK), Hon David Lammy, made his first official visit to the Caribbean from December 12-13. Specifically, he visited Barbados and Guyana. David Lammy’s parents migrated to the UK from Guyana. On being appointed to this post in July, in a statement, he referred to his Guyanese heritage. His first action on the Caribbean was to provide assistance in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl.

The Gleaner’s editorial of July 8 was titled ‘Act now on UK relations’ and called on CARICOM leaders to “… immediately articulate the issues and policies they wish to partner with Britain, or seek its support, and urgently pursue them with Mr Lammy while they have his attention and he feels any sense of bond with the Caribbean”. On July 10, this column addressed the question, ‘How will CARICOM relate to the UK’s new Labour government?’ and outlined the priority issues as set out by both the UK Labour Party and CARICOM from the last UK-Caribbean Forum in 2023.

In September, Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali had an early bilateral meeting with Foreign Secretary Lammy in London, where, it is reported, they had discussions on several matters, including stronger collaboration in trade, biodiversity, and on Haiti.

A first formal meeting between other CARICOM leaders and UK government officials possibly occurred at the UN General Assembly in September. They would meet again at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa in October. This was shrouded in controversy about whether claims for reparation payments for transatlantic slavery and colonialism should be on the agenda. A paragraph in the CHOGM communiqué calls for dialogue. Caribbean and UK leaders would also have met at COP29 on climate change in Baku, Azerbaijan, in November.

IN BARBADOS AND GUYANA

Foreign Secretary Lammy was clearly in the Caribbean last week to focus on building a new partnership with Caribbean countries, emphasising cooperation in security and trade. Lammy’s visit coincided with the Inter-American Development Bank’s Regional Security and Justice Summit held in Barbados, December 11-12.

In Barbados, the foreign secretary was focused on security, providing UK assistance in preventing organised crime and reducing violence by assisting regional authorities to investigate and disrupt criminal networks to strengthen law enforcement, tackle gangs and drug trafficking. On Instagram, Prime Minister Mia Mottley, in welcoming Lammy, stated that she was looking forward to building on the excellent relationship shared by Barbados and the UK, and working together to create a better future for both countries, the region and people.

In Guyana, the foreign secretary met with President Ifraan Ali and furthered discussions on bilateral cooperation between the two countries on advancing their partnership on climate change, environmental protection, biodiversity conservation and childcare. They also discussed security and Guyana’s territorial integrity. The Foreign Office’s press release states that while in Guyana, Lammy would visit a maternity hospital in Georgetown, which is being constructed using British manufactured steel, demonstrating the cooperation between the two countries. They would also be looking at a major infrastructure project.

It seems that Britain is interested in working with the CARICOM region, as a whole, on security, trade, climate change, protecting forests, and increasing the use of green energy.

PROMOTING TRADE AND INVESTMENT

Separate events to promote trade and investment were also held. Jamaica has been in trade discussions with the UK in recent months. A UK business mission was in the island from September 30 to October 4. Addressing the business briefing at the British High Commission on October 1, it is reported that the president of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica, Metry Seaga, called on business stakeholders to take advantage of trade arrangements with the United Kingdom, as there were opportunities in areas such as agriculture, energy and logistics.

The second UK-Caribbean Trade and Investment Forum was held in London on November 6. Attended by representatives from several CARICOM countries, the forum was addressed by Foreign Secretary Lammy and Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce of Jamaica, Senator Aubyn Hill. Utilising the UK-Caribbean Economic Partnership Agreement, the aim is to increase investments and exports of goods and services between the UK and the Caribbean.

Growth in the UK’s gross domestic product (GDP) has been slowing. Various studies have indicated that the UK economy has shrunk since Brexit in 2016, even factoring in the impact of the COVID pandemic. The EU is the UK’s largest market. The IMF has projected UK GDP to grow at about 1.1 per cent in 2024 and 1.5 per cent in 2025. The government is thus focused on stabilising the economy and promoting real GDP growth. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has reiterated that his government’s focus will be on achieving economic stability, and strengthening national security and border security.

It is quite evident from the foreign secretary’s Caribbean visit that the UK Labour government, with its theme of change and facing economic, social and political pressures in Britain, is focused on promoting trade, investment and development cooperation which it believes will be beneficial to both Britain and the Caribbean, despite whatever else might be on the agenda in the region.

Elizabeth Morgan is a specialist in international trade policy and international politics. Send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com.