PM Pierre attends 31stAfreximbank Annual Meetings in Bahamas

Castries, Saint Lucia: The Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, Philip J Pierre is recently attending the 31^st Afreximbank Annual Meetings (AAM) and the AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum (ACTIF) which has been scheduled to take place from 12th – 15thJune 2024. The meeting aims to expand Africa-Caribbean trade and investment relation with a vision to benefit the entire Caribbean region as a whole.

PM Pierre met with Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest person who is the founder as well as the chair of Dangote Group, a multinational industrial conglomerate. During their meeting, PM Pierre discussed on several topics which includes, the creation of an environment to exchange ideas and grow synergies in tourism development, energy supply for the Caribbean, growth of high value crops and diversification of the economy of the region.

Notably, the Dangote Group is the largest conglomerate in West Africa and one of the largest on the African continent. The company is engaged in cement manufacturing, sugar refining, salt refining and seasonings, packaging materials, port operations, transportation and food and beverages. The company is also a manufacturer of fertilizers, urea, phosphate, and all the key elements in the growth of agricultural crops.

PM Pierre discussed on trade and investment matters, business opportunities, growing entrepreneurship, securing investments and other key initiatives with the delegates. He also met with Babajide Sanwo Olu, Governor of Lagos State and was accompanied by Darrel Montrope, Consul General in Miami in order to make the best utilization of such meetings.

PM Pierre aims to enhance trade and investment links between Saint Lucia and Africa. Also, the leader of the nation delivered his remarks at the Presidential Plenary on the theme “United We Stand, Divided We Fall: Building Alliances for Shared Prosperity” on 13th June 2024. Notably, Saint Lucia is among the pioneer nations in the region to join African Export-Import Bank, securing a loan of 6 million USD to fund the repair and renovation of the schools of the country.

The African Export-Import Bank is being hosted in the Caribbean for the first time under the theme – Owning our destiny: Economic Prosperity on the platform of global Africa. The theme aims to unite Caribbean nations and Africa in order to foster growth and prosperity among the regions.

This occasion welcomes several attendees including, African/Caribbean leaders, senior government officers, African and non-African policymakers, corporate and business leaders, business leaders and other leaders. It provides a platform to the leaders from both public and private sectors to engage in high-level discussions on key trade and investment issues.