CAHFSA Strengthens Caribbean Representation and Strategic Partnerships at the 93rd WOAH General Session
June 5, 2026
Paramaribo, Suriname – June 12, 2026 – The Caribbean Agricultural Health and Food Safety Agency (CAHFSA) participated in the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA) Trade Mission to Suriname and Guyana, held at the Torarica Hotel in Paramaribo. The event brought together businesses, investors, service providers, and development partners from across the region to explore new trade and investment opportunities.
As part of its participation, CAHFSA operated a dedicated Help Desk throughout the Business-to-Business (B2B) Conference and Networking Reception, providing technical guidance on agricultural health and food safety requirements, sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures, food safety certification, product compliance, and market access requirements. The Agency also engaged stakeholders on opportunities for workforce development, food safety systems implementation, and technical assistance services.
During the mission, CAHFSA interacted with more than 25 participating companies and organizations representing sectors such as agri-food manufacturing, food processing, logistics, retail, education, cosmetics, and investment facilitation. Discussions highlighted a growing interest among businesses seeking to expand into regional and international markets while strengthening compliance with food safety and regulatory requirements.
Several food manufacturers expressed interest in developing or enhancing food safety management systems to meet export market requirements, while other stakeholders sought support in product labeling, regulatory compliance, and capacity building. The Agency also facilitated connections between regional institutions and national stakeholders to encourage collaboration in workforce development, technical training, and trade facilitation initiatives.
One notable area of interest emerged from discussions with Tropical Shipping Suriname, which expressed its willingness to collaborate with CAHFSA to strengthen capacity building initiatives in product labeling and regulatory compliance for local businesses. Such collaboration has the potential to support greater market access and improve competitiveness within regional and international trade.
The engagement also revealed that varying levels of awareness regarding SPS obligations and food safety requirements continue to exist among businesses seeking export opportunities. This finding reinforces the importance of ongoing education, technical assistance, and capacity-building programmes to ensure that Caribbean businesses can effectively meet regulatory requirements and compete in global markets.
As a result of the mission, CAHFSA established several new partnerships and identified opportunities for future training, technical assistance, and collaborative activities with private sector stakeholders, trade organizations, and national institutions. Follow-up activities will include sharing technical guidance materials with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), exploring joint initiatives with the TTMA and national partners, and maintaining engagement with businesses seeking support for regional and international market access.
CAHFSA remains committed to supporting safe trade, strengthening food safety systems, and promoting compliance with SPS requirements across the Caribbean. Participation in events such as the TTMA Trade Mission continues to provide valuable opportunities to connect with stakeholders, raise awareness of food safety obligations, and facilitate sustainable growth within the region’s agri-food sector.
Figure 1: Janelle Yarde-Blackman, Food Safety Specialist, CAHFSA and Ellen Mau Asam, Managing Director n.v. Best Maritime Services (Tropical Shipping)
Figure 2 - 4: CAHFSA and SMEs from Left to Right: Pure Harvest Group of Companies; TJM Designs & Hynes All Natural Products
