Government

Barbados And Ireland To Deepen Synergies

The Government of Barbados and the Republic of Ireland have agreed to deepen synergies given their historical connections and shared values.

This move to deepen and strengthen relations between the two countries was discussed during a recent courtesy call with Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley; Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Kerrie Symmonds; and the Ambassador of Ireland to Barbados, Geraldine Byrne Nason, at Ilaro Court.

The courtesy call followed Ambassador Nason’s presentation of credentials to the President of Barbados, Her Excellency The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason.

Although diplomatic relations between Barbados and Ireland were established on May 3, 2001, the relationship dates back to the 1620s, when Irish people immigrated to Barbados. This can be seen in the many Barbadian familial names which can be traced to Irish roots, for example, Fenty, Dixon, McCarthy, and Forde.

According to Ms. Mottley, it is a natural progression for the two countries to pursue a more meaningful and robust bilateral engagement that would enhance their longstanding heritage ties. To this end, Barbados established an embassy in Dublin, Ireland, this year, which is headed by the resident Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Ireland, Cleviston Haynes.

“So, the truth is that Europe remains important to us but building on Ireland’s historical connection with us is even more important because the opportunities for synergies are real, and we see development occurring in heritage tourism, culture, and educational skills…. And at the end of the day, at every level, I believe there are appreciable benefits to be derived from enhanced cooperation between our two countries,” Prime Minister Mottley said.

In response, Ambassador Nason said she agreed the time had come to build on the existing relationship. “I think it makes it all the more, in a way, incumbent on us now, in this existing spirit, to renew this relationship and make it more fruitful,” she stated.

*Tourism and culture were also discussed during the courtesy call, for which Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Kerrie Symmonds, was also present.*

During the meeting, the officials also discussed the economic risks of climate change on small island developing states (SIDS) and the need for a more inclusive approach to addressing the climate crisis.

This led to dialogue on Ireland’s ‘Second Strategy for Partnership with Small Island Developing States to 2026’, which has as one of its four pillars, multi-commitment action plans to work to ensure that the climate challenges faced by SIDS and their ocean-related priorities are systematically reflected in their policy and funding decisions and that their climate action and advocacy respond to SIDS needs.

Minister Symmonds thanked the Irish government for the initiative and for their role in advocating for SIDS. “We are grateful for Ireland’s perspective and partnership and its voice. I think a lot of the advocacy that you have offered is really helpful and we look forward to your continued support,” he said.

The Washington, D.C. Resident Ambassador noted: “It’s a fundamental tenet of our foreign policy to work with small island developing states. The relationship is a unique evolution in our foreign policy. I’ve been doing this all my life and I haven’t seen that we’ve stayed immersed in such an intimate relationship as we now have with the SIDS. So, it’s not so much a strategy, as it is a partnership.”

The officials also spoke of the importance of the European Union as a trade and investment gateway for the Caribbean and the potential for Ireland to play a gateway role into Europe for SIDS.

Tourism and culture were also discussed, and the Ambassador shared that an agreement was made with the Barbados Museum and Historical Society to host an exhibition later this year entitled “Entangled Islands”.

Also participating in the courtesy call were Senior Foreign Service Officer, Trecia King; Foreign Service Officer II, Shireifa Joseph; Ireland’s Head of Office for the Caribbean, Sharon Lennon; and Ireland’s Political Counsellor, Aoife Erraught. (PR/GIS)

Government

China-Barbados Relations Deepened Under Ambassador Xiusheng

The relations between Barbados and the People’s Republic of China have deepened and borne many fruitful ventures under China’s Ambassador to Barbados, Yan Xiusheng’s tenure.

This is according to Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Kerrie Symmonds, as he expressed thanks, on behalf of the Government, to Ambassador Xiusheng, during a farewell courtesy call on Tuesday, at the Ministry’s Culloden Road office.

The Minister told the Ambassador that his tour of duty is one which he “will remember very fondly”, and since his arrival some seven years ago, the relationship between Barbados and China had deepened.

Mr. Symmonds continued: “We are grateful to you. You have a friend in Barbados. I say this very sincerely, there have been many areas where you have offered tremendous assistance to Barbados. I think that as we look back at it, the relationship between China and Barbados has grown considerably during your tenure.

“We’ve done a lot of good business together in many sectors, education, health, transportation and virtually every aspect of our sports. In fact, every aspect of our economy and society has benefitted, in particular, the introduction of the ambassador scholarship, and we want to say thank you.”

Ambassador Xiusheng said he made many friends from all walks of life during his time in Barbados and thanked the Minister and Government for the support and assistance given in helping him fulfil his role as a diplomat here.

“The cooperation between our two countries has been further enhanced and solidified. In the future, China will remain firm in pursuing an independent foreign policy of peace and be dedicated to building a community with a shared future. China will continue to advocate for an equal and orderly multipolar world and universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalisation,” the Ambassador stated.

Mr. Xiusheng, who took up the post in 2018, was the 14th and longest-serving Ambassador from China to Barbados. He was also the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps.

Also present at the farewell courtesy call were acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Paula Byer; Senior Foreign Service Officer, Trecia King; Foreign Service Officer, Asha Pitt; and four officials from the Chinese embassy, including Political Counsellor, Xinhua Huang; and Economic and Commercial Counsellor, Liang Jie.

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

Caption: Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Kerrie Symmonds, chatting with China’s outgoing Ambassador to Barbados, Yan Xiusheng, during a meeting on Tuesday

Government

BRA Investigating Data Breach

The Barbados Revenue Authority is aware that there is some vehicle registration application information circulating on the internet and social media and is actively investigating the incident.

The security and privacy of our stakeholders is of utmost importance to us. The confidence and trust that individuals and businesses have in the Authority are the cornerstones of our systems.

We are currently working with our partners and law enforcement to conduct a thorough investigation to determine the nature and scope of the reported incident.

As the investigation continues we have to be mindful not to share information about the specific nature of the incident or of the security measures taken to address them, so as not to jeopardize the work of the investigators. The Data Commissioner has been informed of this incident and will continue to be updated.

The Authority understands that restricting access to the vehicle registration portal is disruptive to Barbadians, and we regret the inconvenience that these necessary precautions have caused for the public.

The Authority advises the public to remain vigilant and monitor their personal account activity and be on the alert for any unusual activity or requests seeming to come from the Barbados Revenue Authority. If persons recognize any such activity, they should report such instances to our Data Privacy Officer at privacy@bra.gov.bb. (PR/GIS)

Government

CRC Hands Over Report To President Of Barbados

The Constitution Reform Commission (CRC) presented its report today to the President of Barbados, Her Excellency The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason.

After 27 months of intensive deliberations, the CRC has completed the mandate given to it in June 2022. Chairman of the CRC, Mr. Justice (rtd) Christopher Blackman, made the presentation at State House.

Dame Sandra thanked the members of the Commission for working assiduously to complete the report.

After handing over the document, Mr. Blackman told the Barbados Government Information Service that the Commission produced a report with several recommendations for a Constitution for Barbados.

“The draft Bill, which accompanies the report, expands the provisions of the current Constitution by more than 50 per cent, with a notable aspect being the greatly expanded Chapter on Fundamental Rights and Freedoms. This has led to the recommendation for the establishment of a Human Rights Commission for Barbados.

“While the Commission has recommended the maintenance of the status quo in respect of matters such as the first-past-the-post outcome at elections and elections being called at the discretion of the Prime Minister, other proposals, limiting the powers of the Prime Minister on appointments and the like, have been proposed,” he shared.

Mr. Blackman added that there “are dissenting opinions on the Office of the President, in terms of whether the holder should be directly elected, and the qualifying criteria for the post, as well as in relation to the judiciary”.

He said the CRC was deeply indebted to the drafting team of retired Justice of Appeal and former Chief Parliamentary Counsel, Sherman Moore, and acting Parliamentary Counsel, Gabrielle Whitehall, for their hard work and delivering within the specified timelines.

In an effort to give members of the public an opportunity to share ideas, comments and suggestions, the Commission held several town hall meetings locally, and met with various institutions, stakeholders, and persons in the diaspora.

Senator Gregory Nicholls was the Deputy Chairman of the Commission, while the other members were: Senator Reverend Dr. John Rogers; former Attorney General, Adriel Brathwaite; President of the Barbados Secondary Teachers’ Union, Mary-Anne Redman; Vice President of the Barbados Council for the Disabled, Kerryann Ifill; Muslim Chaplain at The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, Suleiman Bulbulia; businessman, Christopher deCaires; Attorney-at-law, Sade Jemmott, and student advocate, Khaleel Kothdiwala.

University of the West Indies lecturer, Professor Cynthia Barrow-Giles, served as Secretary to the Commission. (PR/GIS)