Minister of Energy and Energy Industries and Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, Stuart R. Young, received a courtesy call from Her Excellency, Martha Cecilia Penilla-Perdomo, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Colombia, at the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries, International Waterfront Complex Head-Office, today, Wednesday 18th May 2022.
Her Excellency was accompanied by Mrs. Heidi Ariadne Cortes Acosta, Second Secretary in Charge of Political Affairs of the Embassy and Ms. Rosa Carolina Garzón Rodriguez, Trade Advisor, Procolombia Representative for the South East Caribbean.
The discussions surrounded a number of matters including the potential for growing the trade relationship between Trinidad and Tobago and Colombia. Specific emphasis was placed on the topic of agriculture, and Ambassador Penilla-Perdomo noted the current difficulty being experienced by countries in acquiring fertilizers after the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the impact of the war between Russia and Ukraine.
Her Excellency drew to the Honourable Minister’s attention the challenges that can be experienced by Colombia in obtaining the required supply of fertilizers to the country and discussed increased opportunities for partnership between Trinidad and Tobago and Colombia to further solidify the longstanding relationship between both countries in particular in the energy sector.
Minister Young welcomed Ambassador Penilla-Perdomo, thanked her for her visit and mentioned that there is much to learn from Colombia. Minister Young also noted that there are many energy resources in Latin America and the Caribbean that can be utilized for the benefit of the region. He expressed that Trinidad and Tobago is always interested in collaboration and the further strengthening of bi-lateral relations with other countries.
Both parties agreed that regional cooperation is integral for the benefit and long-term advancement of both nations.