KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent – This country will soon send to Venezuela a trial container of agricultural commodities for assessment for possible continued export to that South American nation.
Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves told journalists on Tuesday that Dr. Jerrol Thompson, director of special project in the Office of the Prime Minister would at some time speak to the media about the development.
Thompson, a former minister of government, will also brief the media on work he has been doing concerning PetroCaribe in the area of trading.
PetroCaribe is a Caribbean alliance with Venezuela launched in June 2005, to purchase oil on conditions of preferential payment. Countries importing oil under the PetroCaribe initiative will pay a portion upfront and the rest over 25 years at 1 per cent interest, in addition to having the option to pay part of the cost with other products, such as bananas, rice, and sugar provided to Venezuela.
“I would just like to say that a trial container of agricultural commodities would be sent shortly to Venezuela and then assessments will be made by the purchaser, they would come to St. Vincent and the Grenadines and of course we will come to a final determination on volumes and prices but that is a work in progress and an opportunity to sell our agricultural produce to countries within the ALBA arrangement,” Gonsalves said on his return from the 11th ALBA summing in Venezuela at the weekend.
Thompson took part in preliminary meetings in Venezuela ahead of the summit while community activist Renwick Rose of the Windward Islands Farmers Association attended a meeting of ALBA social movements. There was also meeting of ALBA political parties.