Strengthening trade links with Caribbean countries that are experiencing extraordinary growth in food production and exportation could help to lower the cost of living in Bermuda, David Burt has said.

The Premier is leading a delegation at the 49th Caricom Heads of Government Meeting in Jamaica, accompanied by Alexa Lightbourne, the Minister of Home Affairs, and Christopher Famous, a government backbencher.

Speaking during a break in the agenda yesterday afternoon, Mr Burt said Ms Lightbourne had been forging contacts and discussing the potential for Bermuda to expand its importation routes.

The Government has received permission from the British Government to explore full Caricom membership and the Premier said that he would wait until the draft membership agreement was signed before discussing subjects such as full membership and its potential costs.

Mr Burt specifically mentioned Guyana as a possible partner to deepen trade ties with along with Jamaica, whose prime minister, Andrew Holness, he met with.

“Minister Lightbourne is fully engaging on matters related to the private sector, food producers, food exporters,” Mr Burt said.

“She has been speaking about the diversification of our trading links, as we know that we do have a number of things that are coming out of Jamaica to Bermuda such as aggregate and soil. There was a question as to whether or not we can add to those to possibly see better and diversified food exports that can come to Bermuda to reduce the cost of food in the country.

“Caricom members have been fully committed to increasing domestic food production. Guyana has been leading on this initiative, but there is significant work here in Jamaica as well. They have significant amounts of land, but are also dealing with manufacturing and mining.

“It is important to see the work that is taking place in the region and examine how Bermuda can benefit, not on a full membership basis, but in how our companies can link with the companies that are here.

“Guyana is the only country in the world that is regarded as fully food sufficient and they are going to be in a position to have major food exports next year.

“Exploring deeper integration with partners outside of our traditional partners such as the US, Canada and Europe is only helpful and beneficial.”

The Government announced last year that it is pursuing economic partnerships in Africa and the Caribbean.

Jason Hayward, the Minister of Economy and Labour, was in the Bahamas at the third Afri-Caribbean Trade and Investment Forum and the 31st Afreximbank Annual Meetings discussing potential opportunities. Then he said: “Bermuda must expand its horizons, embrace new economic partners and continually evolve its global offerings.”

The Government also said in April it was looking at trade partnerships outside of the United States in light of proposed moves by US president Donald Trump that threatened to affect the island.

Mr Burt said then it had engaged with Caricom leaders and Canadian officials to discuss the viability of shipping relationships.

During the Caricom meeting this week, Mr Burt said the Bermuda delegation also met with Interpol to discuss potential synergies in fighting crime across jurisdictions in the Caribbean Community.

He said: “There has been significant work taking place between the police bodies that are inside of the region sharing various strategies and looking at how we are advancing technology in crime fighting.

“From that aspect, that engagement and co-operation will hopefully continue, strengthen and deepen.”

Speaking to the rest of the agenda, Mr Burt added: “We have seen continued progress taking place inside of Caricom. They are working on matters related to regional transportation, which is exciting, and we did receive an update from the Co-operative Republic of Guyana which has advanced the Caricom agri-food systems agenda.

“We have heard matters related to the increase of manufacturing, we have heard about renewable energy projects that are taking place in St Kitts, and there were discussions on the issue of climate change. This is very important for the region, as Caricom prepares to have a unified presentation at COP30, which will take place in Brazil this year.”

The Premier said consultation would open on Caricom membership after the draft agreement was signed.

He said: “There will be further discussions with the Caricom secretary while we are here. We have not yet received the draft membership agreement, but we have been advised that we should expect to see something shortly.

“The Government has committed to a consultation and we are going to wait to receive the information so that we can consult based on facts rather than conjecture.”

The Premier is due to return to Bermuda today.