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Biosafety regulatory efforts in the Caribbean remain stalled, and it is yet to be seen whether countries can regain the will and secure the international financing required to fully implement their National Biosafety Frameworks in a harmonized manner.

Eager to put the COVID-19 pandemic behind it, the Caribbean is doing all it can to attract visitors and kick-start its tourism sector in 2021.

Caribbean imports of consumer-oriented products shrunk from $2.3 billion in 2019 to $2.1 billion in 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, yet Caribbean retail grocery sales grew by an estimated 6 percent during the same period.

Over the past 11 years (2004-2013) U.S. exports to the Caribbean Island Basin of consumer-oriented products and fish products have averaged over 10 percent annual growth.

Biotech regulation has been virtually non-existent in the Caribbean. That may change in the years ahead as twelve Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries move forward with UN Biosafety Frameworks.