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Scale Up Barbados

An initiative to assist local businesses – Scale Up Barbados – will be launched this year.

This disclosure has come from Minister of Energy and Business, Senator Lisa Cummins, who said the business side of her Ministry will be taking the lead on the project, in collaboration with FundAccess and the Barbados Trust Fund Limited.

Senator Cummins was speaking at the opening of a four-day Business Development 101 Session for entrepreneurs, at the Barbados National Oil Company Limited (BNOCL), Woodbourne, St. Philip. The training is being facilitated by Tradewind Tankers, Miami Herbert Business School (MHBS) of the University of Miami, and BNOCL.

The Minister told her audience: “Scale Up Barbados…is meant to take those businesses that start small and help them to scale to become medium. Those businesses that are medium and help them to scale to become large; those businesses that are large and help them to go into export spaces, and those that are large and already in export spaces to help them to find new market access.

“That’s where we see ourselves going, because we want to be able to mirror in our business ecosystem our own evolution as individuals and as people, but most importantly, a nation that is prepared to lead.”

**Entrepreneurs and officials of the Miami Herbert Business School of the University of Miami listening attentively during the opening of the four-day Business Development 101 Session.**

Senator Cummins noted that her Ministry has also been focusing on local content, so businesses here could take advantage of the opportunities being made available in the island’s emerging offshore oil and gas, and renewable energy sectors.

Therefore, she said, it was important that more entrepreneurs create businesses that “are first movers” in the industry, and have export capacity.

She stated: “Small businesses in Barbados must never be afraid to lead…. Do not be afraid to lead. Do not think of your market as 166 square miles and 300,000 people. Your market is much vaster than that. Do not think of your business as a small business that will remain a small business. Think of where you want to grow and where you see yourself.

“Find partners; work through the development of your business plan and integrate how you’re going to attract venture capital and investment capital more broadly. Rationalise what your debt to equity ratios will need to be so that you’re able to scale your business.”

During the ceremony, representative of Tradewind Tankers, Mikel Juan Panek, said the project, which was designed to provide entrepreneurs with the necessary tools and resources to succeed in the long-term, would empower the entrepreneurs. Mr. Panek noted that through a series of workshops and one-on-one consulting sessions, the team from MHBS would provide training in critical areas such as Social Media and Marketing; Business Plan Development; Leadership and Emotional Intelligence in Business, and Financial Literacy and Entrepreneurship. (PR/GIS)

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EBC Officers Conducting Verification Of Addresses Exercise

The public is advised that Registering Officers from the Electoral and Boundaries Commission (EBC) are in the field conducting a verification exercise to confirm the address of each registrant. This activity is in accordance with the Representation of the People Act Cap 12, Section 12.

EBC Registering Officers will be wearing the department’s branded T-shirts with the official ID prominently displayed as they visit residents in districts across the island.

Householders are encouraged to cooperate with the Registering Officers and secure their pets or animals during the visit. (PR/GIS)

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Police Service Tips For A Safe Bank Holiday Weekend

As persons prepare to attend various events over this extended weekend, Crime Prevention Officer with The Barbados Police Service, Inspector Roger Babb, is encouraging them to “stay in control” as they enjoy themselves.

Inspector Babb reminds members of the public that drinking alcohol impairs their ability to make good decisions, and drinking and driving may result in accidents that can be fatal.

The Crime Prevention Officer shared these useful tips:

Do not feel pressured to drink alcohol; it is okay to say no.
Do not drink and drive, always have a sober designated driver.
If you drink, do so in moderation and never leave your drink unattended.
Do not let anyone bring a drink for you.
To avoid having your drinks spiked, buy your own drinks, and watch the bartender make or open them.
If you think your drink was tampered with, let someone know and seek medical attention.
Be cautious with strangers and do not accept drinks from them.
Be aware of your surroundings.
Never mix alcohol with other drugs.
PR/GIS

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SANDALS BARBADOS RECEIVES (CARPHA) AWARD

Sandals Barbados is the proud recipient of the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) Healthier Safer Tourism (HST) award.

The presentation was made recently at the Ministry of Health and Wellness office located in the Frank Walcott Building, St. Michael, Barbados.

Accepting the award for the Luxury Included Resort was General Manager Bruno Couesnon.

In his brief remarks Couesnon thanked every one of the team members who contributed to the resort’s recent accolade.

“It’s always nice to win awards; but it takes a team effort to achieve the results for which we are being recognized, today. The health and safety of our guests and team members are important to us and it is great to be selected and celebrated by CARPHA for doing our part and succeeding,” said Couesnon.

Executive Director of CARPHA Dr. Lisa Indar commended the hotel for achieving this internationally recognized award and praised its commitment to health and safety procedures.

“The 2019 Covid pandemic led to global shut down of tourism but it also demonstrated the resilience of the Caribbean by being able to bounce back. Part of that bouncing back was to be able to create a healthier and safer tourism experience and the reason you are here today is by being part of the tourism health programme and implementing proactive measures,” said Dr. Indar.

Some of the benefits of this award include being regionally and internationally recognized for healthier safer tourism endorsed by the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO); the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA) and the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).

The award is the only traveler’s health award where compliance is assessed – it is measurable and verifiable, ensuring the safety of the tourist facility, staff and guests. It also gives a comparative, marketing advantage and gives value to the quality of service.(PR)

CAPTION: Sandals Barbados General Manager General Manager Bruno Couesnon (L) accepting the CARPHA award from Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Kenneth George