Minister Smith holds fruitful bilateral meeting with Japanese delegation

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Minister Smith holds fruitful bilateral meeting with Japanese delegation

The Honourable Anthony Smith Jr, Minister of Agriculture, Lands, Fisheries and the Blue Economy of Antigua and Barbuda engaged in dialogue with His Excellency Mr. Yutaka Matsubara, Ambassador of Japan surrounding opportunities for investment within the Blue Economy between both countries. Minister Smith thanked the Government of Japan for the tremendous support given to Antigua and Barbuda over 40 years. He also stated that this relationship has thrived due to the fact that it has been built on mutual respect, based on a common interest and shared values. The Minister mentioned the importance of the fisheries sector and the Blue Economy to the economies of small island developing states (SIDS), with a need for further investment in the sector to attract young persons. Minister Smith used the occasion to highlight the contribution of Japan to Antigua and Barbuda’s fisheries sector. He further made a request for the refurbishment of the existing fisheries complexes to the Japanese representatives. The Agriculture Minister also advocated for increased technical assistance and training of officials to enhance the management of the marine space of the twin island state.

In response the Japanese Ambassador praised Antigua and Barbuda for its leadership on the global stage. He reference the recently held 4th United Nations International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4) and also the leading role the country is playing in the International Whaling Commission (IWC). Ambassador Matsubara also informed the Minister that Japan would increase its partnership with Antigua and Barbuda, through people-to-people exchanges with numerous training opportunities for individuals within the agriculture and fisheries sector. In response, Minister Smith expressed his appreciation and thanks on behalf of the Government and people of Antigua and Barbuda to Japan for its assistance programmes; which he stated would increase the socio-economic development of the country.

The Minister and his delegation also discussed projects based on the sargassum crisis, the upcoming 69th Meeting of the International Whaling Commission, and the Japan-CARICOM Friendship Year 2024.

                         -ENDS-

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7 COMMENTS

  1. Who is Anthony Smith representing on this bilateral get-together with the Japanese?

    Is it the UPP supporters that voted for him? If it is as an Independent candidate, then a by-election must again be called in All Saints West – its the right thing to do if Smith has any integrity. But if he’s representing on behalf of the ABLP (who he jumped ship to), this is undemocratic and a real slap in the face for the honest hardworking people in ASW who voted for him.

    Who can disagree wid dat … oh wait!!! 😉

    3…, 2…, 1… giddy-up 🏇🏾

    • @Brixtonian……….. Errrrmmmmm you ah wan arsehole. A minister represents the PEOPLE OF ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA, not a political party. A person does NOT even have to be elected to be a minister.

      Get a grip, you turd.

  2. @ Look Yah[sole], keep up nah!

    You obviously haven’t heard the news that the constituents that voted for Anthony Smith in All Saints West are contemplating legal action in regards into how their UPP votes were utterly discarded in our so-called democratic process.

    They recognise that their democratic rights have been trashed.

    I WISH THEM EVERY SUCCESS

    Remember @ Look Yah[sole], stop backing ah jackass – like Anthony Smith – in ah horse race …

  3. … and using your same misleading statement, why isn’t Prime Minister Browne representing ALL the people of “ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA” as you put it?

    Bwoi, if you ABLP acolytes had any brains you’d be dangerous …

  4. ANTIGUA NEWS ROOM EDITORS: YOU PEOPLE LIKE TO USE WORDS LIKE,FRUITFUL,SUCCESS,ENHANCEMENTS. WHEN IN FACT YOU HAVE NOT SEEN THE END RESULTS OF THOSE MEETINGS.ARE YOU PEOPLE USING THE MEETING TO JUSTIFY YOUR END LINES.

  5. @ Look Yah, you’re struggling to make any sense at all. It might help if you took off your Gastonite blinkers and realise that YOUR Prime Minister is looking out for himself, and his cronies.

    The rest of us are at the back of the cue.

    How does it feel to be a bigger fool?

Comments are closed.