By: Staff Writer
April 16, 2024
The Africa Import/Export Bank will hold its 31st annual meetings on June 12 to 14 in The Bahamas, a first for both regions where a country of the diaspora will play host to mother African interests in Caribbean soil.
Philip Davis, KC, Prime Minister of The Bahamas, said about the historic meeting: “In recognition of this new chapter in diasporic partnership, today, it is with immense pride, we officially sign the agreement for The Bahamas to host the African Export-Import Bank’s Annual General Meeting this coming June.
“Our ancestral history is marked by strength in the face of adversity, beauty and creativity even amid scarcity, and a relentless pursuit of self-determination. In the Caribbean, our forebears, who traversed the vast expanses of the Atlantic – not by choice but by force – today, unite us in a cause that is far greater than the ocean that separates us.
“Their dreams, their struggles, and their hopes are encapsulated in this moment, as we, their descendants, forge a future where Africa and The Caribbean stand shoulder to shoulder, not just in solidarity, but in economic collaboration for mutual prosperity.”
Afreximbank’s president Benedict Oramah said last week’s signing ceremony for The Bahamas to host the 31st Afreximbank Annual Meetings and the third edition of the AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum from June 12 to 14 set the stage for an event which “will happen beyond contemplation” a few years ago.
“It will solidify the partnership between Afreximbank and CARICOM state, a union that forms the platform for global Africa to take its destiny into its own hands,” Oramah said.
Davis said Africa and the Caribbean ancestors’ history is marked by strength in the face of adversity, beauty and creativity even amid scarcity and a relentless pursuit of self-determination.
“In the Caribbean, our forebears who traversed the vast expanse of the Atlantic not by choice, but force today united us in a cause that is far greater than the ocean that separates us. Their dreams, struggles and their hopes are encapsulated in this moment as we forge a future where Africa and the Caribbean stand shoulder to shoulder not just in solidarity but in economic collaboration for mutual prosperity,” he said.
“We are commemorating the union of dreams; the dreams of our ancestors and the dreams of future generations that we plan to realise through unity, collaboration and mutual respect,” Davis said.
Oramah said a lot has happened in two years with 11 out of the 15 CARICOM states having signed the Afreximbank partnership agreement.