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Barbados & Canada Hold Bilateral Talks

Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley today led a delegation to meet with Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau while at the 44th Regular Meeting of the Caribbean Community’s Conference of Heads of Government being held in Nassau, Bahamas.

Prime Minister Trudeau, expressing pleasure at meeting with Prime Minister Mottley, noted that Canada and Barbados have a long and deep past of working together.

“We have been working together on some very, very big issues around the world – whether it’s on climate change, of course where your voice has been incredibly strong; whether it’s on the need to adjust the international financial architecture, so that middle income countries that are extremely vulnerable to climate change or to shocks are better supported in their ability to move forward,” he said.

Mr. Trudeau praised Ms. Mottley for her leadership in the Bridgetown Initiative, remarking that the work they had done in many areas was “truly exceptional”. The two leaders are co-chairs of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for the United Nations Secretary General.

Stressing that they were doing lots of work together, he added: “It’s always good to sit down and talk about some of the issues that bring us down to the Caribbean, whether it’s economic growth, whether it’s a challenge in Haiti, whether it’s climate change, always a lot to talk about.”

Prime Minister Mottley, stating that the two leaders should have met in the Caribbean since February 2020, but domestic and international realities had prevented this, said: “The fact that we endured and the fact that we are also here to remind the world that you cannot forget the basic realities of the SDGs, which is to ensure that people can sleep easier each and every night in every country of the world, that is what we are committed to. In spite of all that we do domestically and regionally, we have that obligation.”

She continued: “At the domestic level, Barbados continues to benefit from our relationship with Canada. We believe that it is a mutually rewarding relationship, but more importantly, size matters. And your country has been able to provide technical assistance, particularly in recent years, as we went through a difficult period economically.”

Ms. Mottley praised Mr. Trudeau for his commitment to the Caribbean Regional Technical Assistance Centre, and working with countries in the region. She noted that “the technical capacity needs are one of the things that the Caribbean has to bridge as a small states region”.

Prime Minister Mottley stated that there were vexatious issues that have to be dealt with, bilaterally and regionally, which would not be shied away from, and pointed out that the two countries were now experiencing a similar situation.

Elaborating, she said: “You have had to manage migration over the decades in order to sustain your viability. We face the reality that ECLAC has determined that by 2050, one in every two Barbadians could be over the age of 65, and therefore our continued work, that is a national security issue, and our continued work together to see how best we can transition our countries at this difficult moment is one that we value our relationship with you to be able to do so.”

Ms. Mottley also mentioned that the Bridgetown Initiative would feature prominently in their talks, but she has “every confidence” that Mr. Trudeau’s voice on these matters has been one that has caused him to fight for not just climate but for the SDGs. (PR/GIS)

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Border Officials’ Tours Key In Identifying Best Practices

CARICOM border officials participating in the Barbados leg of the Border Officials Attachment Programme now have a better idea of the operations of this island’s port of entries, which would assist them in the implementation of the Free Movement for All initiative.

The participants from Belize, Dominica, Haiti, and Jamaica, consisting of Customs and Immigration Officers, and CSME Focal Point Officers, toured the Port of Bridgetown, Port St. Charles, and the Grantley Adams International Airport (GAIA).

During the tour of the GAIA, which was overseen by Quality Assurance Officer, Orlando Neblett, the group got a first-hand look at the operations of Customs, Immigration, and Port Health Officers.

Immigration Officer II, Valerie Rouse, who demonstrated how the kiosks in the arrival hall work, explained the procedure that would be in place if the machines are inoperational.

She also described the process for the different lines (fast track, CARICOM nationals and all others) for arriving passengers, the Compliance Section, the secondary interview, and detention areas.

Health Sister, Kim Rock, spoke of her role in assisting any passenger who may experience medical issues during a flight, and assessing any alarm raised regarding an infectious passenger, for example, someone travelling from a destination which may have an outbreak of measles.

The visit to the customs area involved seeing where luggage is scanned and loaded before being placed on the belt for collection; the rationale behind a luggage search, even if the person has joined the ‘Nothing To Declare’ line, and other procedures conducted by customs officers carrying out their duties at the GAIA.

The border officials also heard from the Agricultural Quarantine Port Health Officer, Faith Williams, about her role, which involves examining animal products, food items, and seeds or plants found on a traveller for pests and diseases.

Ms. Williams said her section is vital to protecting plant health and biodiversity in Barbados. She also explained the process for clearing an imported pet.

Following the GAIA tour, Customs Officer from Dominica, Nigel Martin, and CSME Focal Point Officer from Haiti, Kemissa Trecile, shared how they found the programme so far.

Mr. Martin said: “The course has been very informative. Barbados is very far in the CSME movement. There is a lot we need to adopt to follow them…and a lot to take back and learn from.”

He also noted that the procedures for customs in Barbados are the same as in Dominica, but on a much larger scale, adding: “But we don’t have the capacity to do it at this level.”

Ms. Trecile stated: “Everybody was very welcoming in Barbados, and I’m happy to be here. This programme has been very informative. I am really impressed by how customs, immigration, and other entities are very advanced in implementing the process of CSME here in Barbados, and that will definitely inspire me to make a lot of suggestions back home in Haiti.”

Regarding the tour, she said: “It was very interesting to see how every department works, how they organise themselves, and of course, I noted a lot of best practices that I would suggest back home.”

The Border Officials Attachment Programme is being facilitated by the CARICOM Secretariat with financial support from the 11th European Development Fund, under the “Strengthening the Framework of CARICOM Integration and Cooperation Process” Programme. (PR/GIS)

Caption: CARICOM border officials, participating in the Barbados leg of the Border Officials Attachment Programme, tour the Grantley Adams International Airport yesterday

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SPECIAL POLLING DAY NOTICE

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FundAccess To Host Legal Clinic Workshop from May 13th

Entrepreneurs will soon get another opportunity to learn about critical legal matters that are key to the operation of their businesses.

FundAccess will be hosting The Legal Clinic Workshop, which will commence on Tuesday, May 13, and continue each Tuesday, until May 27, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

The workshop will be facilitated by Attorney-at-law Ondene Kirton and participants will discuss Understanding Business Legal Structures; Contracts & Agreements; Employment Law & Compliance; and Examination of the Various Laws Relating to Small Business.

During those sessions, the participants will be exposed to sole proprietorship, partnerships, corporations – pro and cons; how to choose the right legal structure for a business; the importance of contracts in business operations; avoiding common contract pitfalls; and employee rights & employer responsibilities, among others. Some of the pieces of legislation to be examined include the Employment Rights Act and National Insurance and Social Security Act.

Interested persons may attend the workshop in person at FundAccess’ Pinfold Street, Bridgetown location, or online via the Zoom Platform. To register, click on the following link: https://bit.ly/3Fu09Jv.