The document was signed at the ALBA House by the Venezuelan Minister for Foreign Affairs, Yván Gil, and the Minister of Agriculture, Lands, Fisheries and the Blue Economy of Antigua and Barbuda, Anthony Smith.
The signing of the agreement is part of the multilateral AgroAlba project promoted by the Bolivarian Alternative for the Peoples of Our America-People’s Trade Treaty (ALBA-TCP) and is the second after the one signed with Saint Vincent and the Grenadines on November 6.
Gil explained that the initiative seeks to address the difficulties of the countries in the region in this area, it arose from a series of challenges faced and is intended to function as a synergy mechanism that can protect the people in agricultural and food matters. He reflected that although a country does not have the capacity to supply itself individually with the food it produces. “If we make a true integration, we can complement our capacities,” he said.
The Venezuelan foreign minister expressed that this multilateral project becomes a support for the food sovereignty of the ALBA-TCP States, but also an economic opportunity for development, reported a press release. He stressed that the signing of the document constitutes a truly revolutionary alternative because it is not only about progressing economically, but the true objective is to advance in integration, joint growth, exchange experiences and guarantee food security.
The executive secretary of ALBA-TCP, Jorge Arreaza, thanked the delegation of Antigua for carrying out this initiative and valued that there is nothing more beautiful than producing food for life and that “can serve for the social prosperity of our people, our youth and the future of the Caribbean countries.”
Regarding the matter, Anthony Smith expressed that these are very important programs designed to address poverty and support the eradication of social difficulties, in addition to helping promote the active participation of citizens to defend our independence and sovereignty as members of the Bolivarian Alliance, based on solidarity and cooperation.
AgroAlba lays the foundations for inclusive and sustainable economic development for the benefit of the entire region and the impetus for Petrocaribe and ALBA-TCP, according to the International Center for Productive Investment.
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