Jamaica and Guyana sign agriculture, defence and finance cooperation agreements

Jamaica and Guyana completed a round of bilateral signings during a ceremony in Guyana, locking in cooperation across agriculture, defence, financial services and a revised framework for economic, technical and cultural ties.

Senator the Honourable Kamina Johnson Smith, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, signed for Jamaica. Guyana's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation signed for Georgetown.

The first instrument was a protocol amending the economic, technical and cultural cooperation agreement originally signed in June 1995. Officials said the update broadens collaboration to include the energy sector, defence and security, technical cooperation on financial services and capital markets, disaster response and recovery, climate-resilient housing and infrastructure, and science, technology and innovation.

A separate memorandum of understanding on agriculture commits both governments to strengthen cooperation on food and nutrition security through a strategic partnership for the mutual benefit of the two states and the wider Caribbean. Priorities include institutional and human resource development, research and innovation, education and extension, trade facilitation and advancing implementation of the CARICOM 25 by 25 + 5 initiative.

Another MOU between the Guyana Defence Force and the Jamaica Defence Force sets out a framework for bilateral defence and security cooperation, including capacity building, information exchange, standing arrangements for official discussions and consultations on defence and security policy.

A further agreement on financial services aims to promote cooperation in enhancing financial infrastructure and systems, including development and modernisation of services and institutional strengthening in the sector.

Prime Minister Holness told the gathering that the signings did not represent the full scope of talks held during his visit. He said Jamaica and Guyana share similar outlooks on regional and global issues and a positive view of their economic prospects, with discussions spanning energy, security, tourism, financial services, agriculture, housing and diplomacy.

Guyana's President said the visit had built trust for deeper partnership, citing planned energy working groups, tourism and orange-economy collaboration, financial-sector integration as Guyana proceeds with a junior stock exchange, expanded security cooperation and education links. He also welcomed Jamaica as the newest member of the Global Biodiversity Alliance.

Holness later addressed food security and skilled labour, noting Jamaica's unemployment rate stands at 3.6% and urging regional planning so both countries can meet labour demands as construction and other sectors expand.