As households continue to feel the squeeze from rising cost of living, CARICOM leaders and the private sector have agreed on a series of measures to reduce import costs, improve regional transport links, remove trade barriers and explore ways to make essential goods more affordable.

The commitments emerged from the second High-Level Breakfast Dialogue between CARICOM Heads of Government, the CARICOM Private Sector Organisation (CPSO) and the OECS Business Council (OBC), held in Saint Lucia during the 51st Regular Meeting of the Conference of CARICOM Heads of Government.

Held under the theme “Meeting the Affordability Challenge: Toward a Proactive Agenda for Member States and the Private Sector”, the July 6 discussions brought together more than 120 senior private sector representatives, leaders from 13 CARICOM member states, organised labour, development partners and regional institutions.