Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre has hailed the just-ended Saudi Arabia-CARICOM summit, describing the event as historic.
Pierre said the inaugural summit marked Saint Lucia and the region’s expansion in forging relationships that foster technology, climate resilience, tourism, and infrastructure cooperation.
Saint Lucia and the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) signed a US $75 million development loan agreement in August.
The loan would fund the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Saint Lucia’s St. Jude Hospital Project.
“I look forward to our knowledge exchange as we embark on the reconstruction of the St. Jude Hospital and other bilateral investments for the people of Saint Lucia,” Prime Minister Pierre wrote on Facebook.
Saudi Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Chairman Dominica Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit co-chaired the Saudi Arabia-CARICOM summit.
A joint end-of-conference statement said the leaders agreed to cooperate in several areas.
They included tourism, developing sustainable and circular agriculture and promoting sustainable food production.
The leaders also pledged to promote trade and investment and exchange information.
In addition, the summit reaffirmed the importance of working together to confront the global challenges related to climate change and endorsed Saudi Arabia’s candidacy to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
There will be a Second Saudi Arabia-CARICOM Summit in 2026.
Oh Pierre
This is global politics at play. I give you pennies and you’ll back me for football world cup. The “haves” don’t give “the have nots” anything for nothing.
These Caribbean leaders seem to be a bunch of jokes. Saudi’s Arabia’s only reason for doing this is to get to host the World Cup and the Olympics. So they devise a plan similar to that of Qatar( remember Jack Warner and te $10000 envelopes) but instead they saddle the islands with loans and more debt. A total win win situation for them. Why did the Caribbean countries not come together and refuse those loans and seek grants ( albeit probably smaller)? Why do we always have to be like worms before poule . That’s the only situation where we have the upper hand against that rich country. Or maybe I just think too simply?
@Tony the chickens have to dig the soil to fine the worms so I would say it’s more “Wavet devant Poule” LOL
Soon Saudi nationals will be visiting St. Lucia under the premise of diplomatic relations. What we must remember is that all 10 suicide bombers who brought down the US Twin Towers, were from Saudi Arabia. St. Lucia is now engaging in foreign relations using the prostitution approach. We are your friends because you have plenty money and you can help us.
“…US $75 million development loan agreement in August.”
Take note St Lucians … for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Saint Lucia’s St. Jude Hospital Project.
look at the pic the eyes telling a different story
Yes @Tony – yes!
SFD: win-win.
CARICOM: win-lose
If we loan at 2% better thqn elsewhere plus disaster clause what more can we want.
Saydus don’t owe us reparations Europe does yet the IMF lian so punitive
We have nothing to loose or gain on a world cup venue,so what.
Well done most Honorble…well done stay focused let your accomplishments burn the them DEEP. It does not matter if it’s for world cup or “OTHERS” if that’s OUR DIPLOMATIC LEVERAGE, THEN THAT’S OUR DIPLOMATIC LEVERAGE to hell with these Clowns…….as if we are first world. WHAT DOES ST LUCIA HAVE ??? Two rock sticking out of the ocean and a seat at the UN. Chooops.
Chasnets plan was way much better than this bullshit.
Will Guy Joseph tell us about the money given to CHTTI.
Please Guy before you talk. Tell us about CHTTI