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Barbados Discusses Green Transportation & Trade With China

Barbados and China have discussed strengthening China-Barbados relations through transportation and trade.

This discussion took place on Wednesday between Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Kerrie Symmonds, and Chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), Ren Hongbin, in the margins of the United Nations Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Global Supply Chain Forum, on at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre.

Minister Symmonds pointed out that Barbados aims to transition its transportation sector to renewable energy to reduce carbon emissions and achieve sustainable development as part of Barbados’ efforts to become fossil-fuel free by 2030.

He noted that to date, Barbados had received 59 electric buses manufactured in China, which were procured under the Ministry of Energy and Business’ Sustainable Energy Investment Programme (Smart Fund II). He said 50 more were being ordered.

Mr. Symmonds also pointed out that due to disruptions in the global supply chain, Barbados had been hampered in achieving its fossil-fuel free ambition due to a lack of access to renewable energy vehicles.

“The European vehicles, in many cases, you can’t get the alternative to the one that is the internal combustion engine, because it is not even available or not yet available in our market. And then in the agricultural sector, there are many which are still at the prototype stage, or they are now thinking about it.

“And when you get into your machinery for the fields and the heavy-duty lorries, tractors and big cranes for the construction sector and so on, … through the traditional supply chain we find ourselves lagging further and further behind because our traditional sources of supply are behind,” he stressed.

With regards to trade, the Minister shared Barbados’ goal of becoming an air, sea, and logistics hub for the southern Caribbean.

Mr. Hongbin stated that CCPIT is the largest and longest trade and investment promotion agency in China with 30 representative offices in 30 countries, and shared that it would be expanding its presence in countries.

“Our duty and responsibility for CCPIT is to promote bilateral relations, economic and trade ties with foreign countries. So, I feel that there is a huge potential here for businesses to be deepened and to be expanded between China and the Caribbean region. Of course, we can consider Barbados as a hub,” Chairman Hongbin indicated.

Other areas discussed during the bilateral meeting included China’s International Supply Chain Expo scheduled for November 26 to 30, 2024; the One-China Principle; developing green maritime transportation between Caribbean islands as part of the Belt and Road Initiative; and the potential for collaboration in areas such as renewable energy and pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Also present at the bilateral meeting were the Ministry’s Director General, Donna Forde; Director, Foreign Trade Division, Kay Sealy; Senior Foreign Service Officer, Trecia King; Foreign Service Officer, Asha Pitt; China’s Ambassador to Barbados, Yan Xiusheng and members of the CCPIT delegation.

Barbados and China established diplomatic relations on May 30, 1977. (PR/GIS)

Caption: From left to right – China’s Ambassador to Barbados, Yan Xiusheng; Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Kerrie Symmonds; and Chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), Ren Hongbin, pose for a photograph following their meeting yesterday

Local

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