By Sue-Ann Wayow
TRINIDAD and Tobago is one of the countries set to receive funding from a US $100 million Caribbean investment.
US Vice President Kamala Harris made the announcement in Nassau, Bahamas on Thursday as she co-hosted the US-Caribbean Leaders Meeting, alongside Prime Minister of the Bahamas Philip Davis, a follow-up from last year’s Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles.
In a subsequent press release, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) stated that the funding will be geared towards climate, energy, food security and humanitarian assistance for Caribbean countries.
Additionally, to support the region’s transition to renewable energy and increase energy efficiency, working with Congress and subject to the availability of funds, USAID intends to provide $20 million in funding to companies with financial and technical assistance and business development services through the Caribbean Climate Investment Program, the release stated.
The programming will also support the establishment of the Blue-Green Investment Corporation in partnership with the Government of Barbados, the Green Climate Fund, and private sector investors.
USAID stated, “With an estimated initial capitalization of $30 million by non-US government partners, this public-private “green bank” is expected to unlock up to $210 million over three years to finance projects such as climate resilient housing, renewable energy, clean transportation and water conservation firstly in Barbados, and later expanding to other Caribbean countries, including those in the Eastern and Southern Caribbean.”
USAID is also providing nearly $15 million to support disaster risk reduction, emergency response capacity strengthening, and resilience building across the Caribbean.
This funding will bring the total investment by USAID in disaster risk reduction and resilience building in the Caribbean to over $80 million over the past five years.
Rowley meets Harris
Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley who joined the regional leaders in Nassau, Bahamas spoke on matters related to regional security and regional energy security.
Dr Rowley is the lead Head in CARICOM for Regional Security matters and co-Chairs the Caribbean/US Energy Security Action Committee.
As it relates to security and firearms trafficking, the US will appoint an experienced prosecutor from the Department of Justice as a Coordinator for Caribbean Firearms Prosecutions, the Office of the Prime Minister posted on its Facebook page.
This coordinator will work to implement the provisions of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act with its new criminal provisions on firearms trafficking and straw purchases.
The US has also pledged support for the regional Crime Gun Intelligence Unit (CGIU) established in Trinidad and Tobago.
The OPM stated, “The CGIU will facilitate gun intelligence sharing with international law enforcement partners, provide critical firearms and investigate training and assist the region with deterring and solving gun-related crimes.”
The US Department of State’s Power Sector Program was also providing Trinidad and Tobago technical assistance for solar grid integration and regulation, renewable energy financial models and bankability and capacity building to enhance grid resilience and climate adaptation, the OPM stated.
Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs, Dr Amery Browne was also present at the meeting.
