Prime Minister Browne Meets with British Prime Minister Burnham on Margins of CHOGM

JUMBY BAY ISLAND, Antigua and Barbuda – Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda and Chairman-in-Office of the Commonwealth, the Right Honourable Gaston Browne, met with British Prime Minister Andy Burnham on the margins of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Antigua and Barbuda.

The meeting provided an opportunity for the two leaders to discuss matters of bilateral and Commonwealth interest, including:

Debt restructuring and access to development financing for small and vulnerable states.

Antigua and Barbuda’s financing arrangements and development partnerships.

The role and future relevance of the Commonwealth in addressing global challenges.

Climate finance and the establishment of a Commonwealth-wide mutual insurance mechanism.

Mobilising international pledges and resources for climate action and development.

Strengthening trade between the United Kingdom and the Caribbean, particularly in food and agricultural products.

Shipping routes, transportation and logistics between the United Kingdom and the Caribbean.

Cooperation in tourism, services and financial services.

Climate change, water scarcity, drought and food security.

Collaboration in healthcare, education, artificial intelligence and digital development.

Cooperation in multilateral institutions.

The discussion on trade between Antigua and Barbuda and the United Kingdom focused on opportunities to expand bilateral commerce, particularly through increased imports of food and other goods from the UK.

Prime Minister Browne noted that the United Kingdom had historically been one of Antigua and Barbuda’s principal sources of imported goods, but that the United States had since become the country’s dominant trading partner.

Prime Minister Browne indicated that greater use of British suppliers could also support UK businesses and employment while providing Antigua and Barbuda with more competitive purchasing options. Both sides recognised that the expansion of trade would require attention to shipping costs, the availability of reliable transportation and the establishment of efficient logistics arrangements.

The meeting reaffirmed the importance of strengthening bilateral relations and advancing practical cooperation among Commonwealth countries, particularly in support of the development priorities of small and vulnerable states. (Ends)

This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: PM Browne Discusses Ways to Strengthen Trade with Britain and Reduce Reliance on US Imports During Meeting with British PM.