PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad – Trinidad and Tobago and Grenada have agreed to extend their existing cooperation in the energy sector and will be signing a data use agreement next week.
Prime Ministers Kamla Persad Bissessar and Dickon Mitchell fielding questions from the media following their talks in Port of Spain on FridayA joint statement issued on Friday evening following talks between Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar and her Grenadian counterpart, Dickon Mitchell, noted that the two countries “ are desirous of continuing co-operation in the energy sector”.
The statement noted that in 2012, the two countries had executed a framework agreement concerning energy sector co-operation for a 10 year period from September 3 that year “ with automatic renewal pursuant to Article 10 of the Agreement and therefore is still in force”.
The statement said as a result, Trinidad and Tobago “will seek approval and communicate” to Grenada, the members of the Steering Committee for Trinidad and Tobago “in the next three weeks, to activate discussions in the matter.
“As part of this continuing arrangement, the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries of Trinidad and Tobago will be signing a data use agreement with Grenada in the next week, which provide the Government of Grenada with access to seismic and well data in the North Coast of Trinidad and Tobago so that they can continue work on the regional technical study which is being done over the Grenada acreage.”
The statement said that Port of Spain will also be collaborating with a Working Group established by Grenada's government to assist with development of a regulatory framework for the petroleum sector in Grenada and also extend technical persons who can review the study and work being done by the consultants.
The statement said that Friday’s bilateral meetings “were a re-affirmation of the economic co-operation” between the two countries and in the continuation of economic co-operation between both countries” several initiatives will be pursued.
It said Grenada will focus on completing the technical study and having data available for review by companies as well as the unlicensed areas in Grenada can be the first focus for seeking companies to explore in the short to medium term.
In addition, Trinidad and Tobago can assist with developing a promotions campaign for Grenada’s acreage with Port of Spain supporting the participation of multinational companies in the provision of technical and institutional assistance in the energy sector to the Government of Grenada
The statement said that the two prime ministers “ expressed a dedicated interest in exploring new avenues for bilateral cooperation, grounded in the longstanding ties of friendship and mutual respect between the two nations.
“Among the key topics discussed was potential medical collaboration, to assist with the current shortage of specialist doctors in Grenada,” it said, adding “both leaders firmly committed to actively deepening bilateral relations in areas of interest through sustained, meaningful engagement and collaboration, with immediacy”.
