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

IMF Managing Director In Barbados For Green Energy Transition Forum

Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Kristalina Georgieva, arrived in Barbados yesterday to participate in the Caribbean High-Level Forum on Managing the Energy Transition, a joint initiative with the Government of Barbados and the IMF.

Ms. Georgieva was met at the Grantley Adams International Airport by a high-level delegation, led by Minister of Economic Affairs and Investment, Senator Chad Blackman; Permanent Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office, The Most Honourable Alies Jordan, and other government officials.

The three-day forum, slated to begin on Tuesday, December 3, at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre, will see government ministers, regional central bank governors, private sector stakeholders, academics, and members of civil society convene to hear various presentations on the green energy transition.

Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley and the IMF Managing Director will be the main speakers during the opening ceremony on Tuesday, which starts at 9:00 a.m.

Thereafter, there will be presentations and panel discussions covering a range of issues such as Taking Stock of the Macroeconomic Implications of the Green Energy Transition, Achieving a Sustainable and Equitable Green Energy Transition, in which Minister in Finance, Ryan Straughn, will be one of the panellists, and Scaling Up Climate Finance – The Potential of the Private Sector.

In the afternoon session, Ms. Mottley and Mrs. Georgieva will participate in a panel discussion entitled: How Can the International Community Support the Green Energy Transition? That discussion will begin at 3:40 p.m.

It is expected that at the end of the forum, Barbados and the region would be in a better position to achieve the various targets set to fully transition and implement the various green initiatives. (PR/GIS)

Caption: Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley and Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Kristalina Georgieva

Government

Caribbean Leaders Meet U.S. Congressional Delegation

Yesterday, Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley was joined by Prime Minister of Trinidad & Tobago, Keith Rowley; the President of Guyana, Irfaan Ali, and Minister of Finance, St. Vincent & The Grenadines, Camillo Gonsalves, for a significant bi-partisan meeting with a Congressional Delegation led by US House Minority Leader, Hakeem Jeffries.

This high-level engagement took place during Barbados’ celebration of its 58th Anniversary of Independence, 3rd Anniversary of the Republic, and the centenary of Shirley Chisholm’s birth. The discussions spanned several critical areas of mutual interest, including:

● Regional Security: Reinforcing efforts to maintain the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace.

● The Climate Crisis: Addressing the disproportionate impacts on Small Island Developing States and advocating for urgent global action.

● Access to Concessional Funding: Calling for financing models based on vulnerability rather than GDP per capita to better reflect the unique challenges faced by the region.

● Economic Transformation: Proposing a new development and investment agenda to drive sustainable growth.

● Market Access and Near-Shoring: Exploring pathways to enhance trade opportunities and strengthen economic partnerships.

Prime Minister Mottley, joined by Prime Minister Rowley and President Ali, reiterated the Caribbean’s commitment to forging strategic alliances that prioritised sustainable development, equitable trade, and regional security.

Meanwhile, Minority Leader Jeffries reaffirmed a commitment to supporting the Caribbean’s development agenda, emphasising the importance of deepening U.S.-Caribbean relations in addressing pressing global issues.

Other members of the Congressional Delegation present were Rep. Aumua Amata Radewagen, Rep. Maxine Waters, Rep. Gregory Meeks, Rep. Barbara Lee, Rep. Steven Horsford, Rep. Yvette Clarke, Rep. Joyce Beatty, Rep. Robin Kelly and Rep. Stacey E. Plaskett. Also joining the meeting was Rep. Mark Green.

The Government of Barbados remains unwavering in its efforts to advance policies and partnerships that foster regional prosperity and elevate Barbados and the Caribbean’s voice on the international stage. (PR/GIS)

Caption: Barbados Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley; Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr. Keith Rowley; President of Guyana, Dr. Irfaan Ali; and Minister of Finance of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Camillo Gonsalves, in discussion with the Congressional Delegation, led by United States House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, at Ilaro Court yesterday.

Government

MEDAL RECIPIENTS TOASTED AT STATE HOUSE

Photos from BGIS

Following yesterday’s morning’s Independence Ceremonial Parade, recipients of the 2024 Independence Honours were hosted by President The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason at State House, for the Toast to the Nation.