Business

FAQs On The Electronic Vehicle Registration Process

QUESTION ONE: What is the Electronic Vehicle Registration (EVR) system?

Government is transitioning from a manual vehicle registration system to an electronic one. The Electronic Vehicle Registration (EVR) system is the new process Government is using to monitor the registration and insurance compliance of vehicles driving on the island’s roads.

A radio frequency identification sticker, known as an RFID tag, will be placed on your windshield as proof that your vehicle is legally registered with the Barbados Licensing Authority, and that your insurance is up to date.

There is NO cost for vehicle owners to get the EVR process done.

QUESTION TWO: What is the radio frequency identification (RFID) tag?

The RFID tag is an electromagnetic sticker that will be placed on your vehicle’s windshield when you complete your EVR process.
Your name, address, vehicle registration, chassis and engine numbers, and insurance status will be readable via the RFID tag only by EVR cameras at gantries and poles, and police hand-held scanners when they become operational.
It provides proof your vehicle is registered and insured to be on the roads.
The RFID tag can last up to ten (10) years.
It is tamper-resistant, so if it is removed or damaged you will need to have it replaced.
If you sell your vehicle, the RFID tag is transferable to the new owner and your information will be removed from that tag.

QUESTION THREE: Where can I go to have my vehicle tagged with the EVR?

There are three EVR Centres you can visit.

Oistins car park, behind Granny’s Restaurant, Oistins, Christ Church
National Cultural Foundation car park, West Terrace, St. James
Garfield Sobers Sports Complex, Wildey, St. Michael (Gymnasium car park)

EVR Centres are open Sunday to Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

QUESTION FOUR: What documents do I need to submit to complete the EVR process?

Private vehicle owners will need to submit a printed copy of the following documents to the EVR Centre:

Proof of insurance
Proof of address (utility bill, bank, or credit union statement)
Your identification (ID) card, valid driver’s licence, or a valid form of picture ID.

If you do not have proof of address, a person living with you will need to send a letter verifying your occupancy at that residence. That person will also need to send their ID or valid form of picture identification. That person is liable for the information they provide as being truthful.

If your vehicles are company owned, you will need to submit a printed copy of the following documents:

Company documents issued by Corporate Affairs and Intellectual Property Office (CAIPO)
Proof of insurance (certificate or cover note)
List of vehicles owned by the company & their registration numbers

QUESTION FIVE: Can someone register and have the vehicle tagged on my behalf?

Yes. They can register the vehicle on your behalf, but they must bring their ID, a copy of yours, and the other documentation requested above. That person is responsible for confirming your identity on your behalf and is liable.

QUESTION SIX: Who should get their vehicles tagged?

All vehicles will eventually need to be registered with the EVR system. Initially, emergency and government-owned vehicles, as well as public service vehicles, were given the opportunity to get tagged under different phases of the pilot programme.

While some of these vehicles are still being done, however, some owners of private or company vehicles have opted to “get a head-start” or “beat the rush” before the EVR system is fully implemented.

Therefore, persons who wish to have their vehicles tagged may visit an EVR Centre of their choice to complete the EVR process.

QUESTION SEVEN: Is there a difference between registering my vehicle with the Barbados Revenue Authority and with the new EVR system?

The Barbados Revenue Authority (BRA) is the revenue collection agency for Government. If you are “putting a vehicle on the road” for the first time as its new owner, you need to register it first with the BRA.

All first-time registrations for private vehicles will incur a registration fee of four hundred dollars ($400.00). Commercial vehicles will incur a fee of one thousand dollars ($1000.00). The renewal of commercial vehicles will also incur an annual fee.

All vehicles must be registered with the Barbados Licensing Authority (BLA) to legally drive on the road. Vehicles that are already registered with the BLA can go ahead and complete the EVR process.

The EVR system is the new process Government is using to monitor vehicle registration and insurance compliance.

An RFID tag will be placed on the windshield of vehicles and the information will be readable by police scanners and EVR scanners at gentries and poles. All vehicles need to complete the EVR process and no payment is required.

QUESTION EIGHT: Where are the EVR gantries or portals located?

Highway 1, Holetown, St. James
Church Street junction, KNR Husbands Highway, St. Peter
Ronald Mapp Highway, Bagatelle, St. Thomas
Highway 5, Six Roads, St. Philip
The Mighty Grynner Highway, Brandons, St. Michael
Highway 7 by the Garrison
Highway 3, Waterford, St. Michael
ABC Highway along Wildey, St. Michael

QUESTION NINE: What will happen when a vehicle passes through EVR gantries or portals?

Currently, the EVR cameras at gantries and portals are not operational. However, when they become operational and vehicles with RFID tags drive under EVR gantries or portals, the tag will be scanned and the registration and insurance status of the vehicle will be verified.

If a vehicle is unregistered or without an RFID tag, EVR cameras at each gantry and portal site will photograph the vehicle’s licence plate, and the status of the vehicle will be verified. This information will be passed on to the police. (PR/GIS)

Business

Re-imagine Caribbean HR: The Future Operating Model

Article by Kimberly Chan, PMQ, MBA

As a recently founded Caribbean body, the Caribbean Institute for Human Management (CaIHRM) hosted its first webinar on October 30, 2024, with a focus on Re-imaging Caribbean HR: The Future Operating Model, staying true to its mission, “As the voice of Caribbean HR is to unite and empower regional bodies through innovative representation, advocacy and capacity building.”

This inaugural event was opened by Mrs. Georgia Donaldson (Director – CaIHRM) and moderated by Mr. Michael McAnuff-Jones (Chairman – CaIHRM) who guided the rich discussions with presentations from the powerful and dynamic panel of regional executives and trailblazers which included:

Mrs. Cavelle Joseph-St. Omer – President, CaIHRM & Human Resource Management Association of Trinidad & Tobago (HRMATT)
Dr Cassida Jones Johnson – Director, CaIHRM & Human Resource Management Association of Jamaica (HRMAJ)
Ms. Esaura Cumberbatch – Director, CaIHRM & Immediate Past President, The Bahamas Society for Human Resource Management
Mr. Nicholas Roberts – Human Resource Management Association of Barbados (HRMAB)

The panellists discussed strategic initiatives through the five (5) HR Operating Models highlighted in a recent article by Mckinsey presented by the panellists who added their interpretation and views as follows:

Ulrich+

This model is an adaptation of the classic Ulrich model, with HR business partners developing functional spikes and taking over execution responsibilities from centers of excellence (CoEs). In turn, CoEs are scaled down to become teams of experts and selected HR business partners. They are supported by global business services and have a digital operations backbone. Many CHROs believe the classic Ulrich model is not up to solving today’s HR challenges, with HR business partners lacking the skills and time to keep up with the latest HR developments. Inflexible CoEs limit agile reactions, while other organizational boundaries have steadily become more permeable. Multinational businesses with mature and stable business models are often the ones that experience these pain points.

Agile

This model calls for a smaller number of HR business partners, with an emphasis on counseling top management, while CoE professionals focus on topics such as data and analytics, strategic workforce planning, and diversity and inclusion. The freed-up resources are pooled to implement cross-functional projects. CHROs who favor this operating model believe that HR needs to accelerate to keep up with the increased focus on execution exhibited on the business side and to prevent HR from hindering rapid transformation. Companies are applying this and other agile methodologies when experiencing rapid growth or discontinuity. (For an example of this model, see sidebar “An agile transformation.”)

Ex-Driven

This model is meant to help CHROs gain a competitive advantage by creating a world-class EX journey. Putting EX first means allocating disproportionate resources toward “moments that matter.” For example, HR, IT, and operations experts could be granted full responsibility to jointly plan, develop, and roll out a critical onboarding process. By creating a world-class EX, HR becomes the driving force in bridging cross-functional silos and in overcoming the patchwork of fragmented data and processes that many organizations suffer from today. The companies employing this model are highly dependent on their top talent, with a small set of clearly defined competencies. (For more on this model, see sidebar “Optimizing the employee experience.”)

Leader-Led

In this model, CHROs transition HR accountability to the business side, including for hiring, onboarding, and development budgets, thereby enabling line managers with HR tools and back-office support. This archetype also requires difficult choices about rigorously discontinuing HR policies that are not legally required. Too much oversight, slow response times, and a lack of business acumen in HR have led some companies to give line managers more autonomy in people decisions. Companies exploring this choice typically have a high share of white-collar workers, with a strong focus on research and development.

Machine-Driven

With this model, algorithms are used to select talent, assess individual development needs, and analyze the root causes of absenteeism and attrition—leaving HR professionals free to provide employees with counsel and advice. As digitalization redefines every facet of business, including HR, CHROs are looking for ways to harness the power of deep analytics, AI, and machine learning for better decision outcomes. Organizations that are experimenting with this are primarily those employing a large population of digital natives, but HR functions at all companies are challenged to build analytics expertise and reskill their workforce.

(Excerpt – HR’s new operating model – December 22, 2022 | Article https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/people-and-organizational-performance/our-insights/hrs-new-operating-model)

This event hosted over one hundred (100) participants from HR Practitioners and Business Executives from across the globe. CaIHRM will continue to host events of a similar nature to engage in conversations toward the development of our Caribbean countries.

Business

$100,000 TO BE RAISED FOR FISHERFOLK

HILTON BARBADOS RESORT, ARTS COUNCIL, SUSTAINABLE CARIBBEAN AND FISHERIES DIVISION

Hilton Barbados Resort has joined forces with the Barbados Arts Council, Sustainable Caribbean and the Fisheries Division to host a charity event aimed at raising $100,000 to assist the fisherfolk community impacted by Hurricane Beryl in July.

General Manager of Hilton Barbados Resort, Jacques Montiel, explained that the important fundraiser, ‘Harbouring Hope – Operation Blue Recovery’ will be hosted on Saturday, November 16 at Hilton at 5:30 p.m., and all proceeds will go towards the recovery efforts.

He said, “We are deeply committed to supporting our community in times of need. Witnessing the devastating impact of Hurricane Beryl on the fishing boats, we knew we had to take action. Our event aims to provide the necessary support for our fisherfolk to recover and rebuild their livelihoods.

“This event is a testament to our commitment to supporting our fisherfolk through these challenging times, and through it, we aim to provide the necessary assistance for a full and swift recovery.”

Thanking the organisations for coming together to host the fundraiser, Chief Fisheries Officer Dr. Shelly-Ann Cox noted that the funds raised will assist with propelling the recovery efforts and getting boats back into the water to harvest fresh fish.

General Manager of Hilton Barbados Resort, Jacques Montiel (second from right) and
Chief Fisheries Officer Dr. Shelly-Ann Cox (third from left) during a recent site visit to finalise plans for the charity event, Harbouring Hope – Operation Blue Recovery, in aid of the fisherfolk community. Also pictured are Hilton’s Katrina Coleman (third from right) and Téresa Nicholls (right), the Division of Fisheries’ Akeila Chapman (second from left) and Barbados Arts Council’s Jill McIntyre (left).

She said, “No value can be placed on the future of our fishing partners who have not only lost their income, but also their peace of mind for the intermediate future. As you are aware, the fisheries sector is a cornerstone of our island’s economy and culture. Harbouring Hope: Operation Blue Recovery, the sector’s positive response after the catastrophic impact of Beryl would not be possible without the outpouring of love and support from collaborators across the private and public sector.

“We are extremely grateful to our partners for their acts of kindness and passion for hosting such a one of a kind event. This collaboration employs a creative approach to engage corporate Barbados through the use of ocean-inspired music, poetry, art and dramatizations, and will also pay tribute to fisherfolk stalwarts that have made a significant contribution to the fishing industry.”

Harbouring Hope – Operation Blue Recovery will feature silent and live auctions, raffles and local entertainment. (PR)

Business

63rd Bi-Annual Meeting Of CARICOM Central Bank Governors

The Central Bank of Barbados hosted the 63rd Bi-Annual Meeting of the CARICOM Committee of Central Bank Governors in Bridgetown on Thursday, November 7 and Friday, November 8, 2024.

The meeting brought together senior officials to address pressing economic issues and strengthen the region’s financial systems, with a focus on key topics such as financial stability, cybersecurity, and regional economic performance.

A significant portion of the agenda focused on financial stability, particularly the data issues regarding non-bank financial institutions. Furthermore, Governors discussed the modernisation of payment systems and advancing interregional payments to bolster the Caribbean’s competitiveness. The Governors highlighted the importance of enhancing financial resilience and cooperation across the region.

On the matter of cyber resilience, several presenters underscored the need for strong security measures across the financial sector amid rising cyber threats. The Governors marked a major milestone by signing a Memorandum of Understanding for the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Group, signalling a commitment to a unified approach in combatting cyber threats across the region’s central banks.

The Governors also reviewed regional economic developments and discussed growth outlooks against the backdrop of slowing global growth projections for 2025, ongoing geopolitical tensions, and the Caribbean’s vulnerability to climate change. The discussions acknowledged the need for adaptive strategies to navigate these uncertainties and sustain economic stability.

Investment to fuel development was another focal point, with the Governors agreeing on the importance of mobilising excess liquidity and addressing barriers to private sector investment. They expressed interest in exploring the appropriate modality to accelerate and expand financing of infrastructure projects and sustainable development initiatives across the region.

The 63rd Meeting was held alongside the 55th Annual Monetary Studies Conference (AMSC), where Governors John Rolle (The Bahamas), Kareem Michael (Belize), and Dr. Gobind Ganga (Guyana) participated in a panel discussion on “The Role of Central Banks in Facilitating the Mobilisation of Regional Investment to Support Development”, moderated by host Governor Dr. Kevin Greenidge.

The conference included sessions on digital innovations, climate adaptation, and regional integration, with a notable keynote address by renowned economist Professor Jeffrey D. Sachs, who delivered the 37th Adlith Brown Memorial Lecture.

At the close of the Meeting, Governor Greenidge handed over chairmanship of the CARICOM Committee of Central Bank Governors to President Richard Doornbosch of the Centrale Bank van Curaçao en Sint Maarten.

Committee members are: Chairman Dr. Kevin Greenidge (Governor, Central Bank of Barbados), Ms. Jeanette Semeleer (Governor, Central Bank van Aruba), Mr. John Rolle (Governor, Central Bank of The Bahamas), Mr. Kareem Michael (Governor, Central Bank of Belize), Mr. Richard Doornbosch (President, Centrale Bank van Curaçao en Sint Maarten), Mr. Timothy Antoine (Governor, Eastern Caribbean Central Bank), Dr. Gobind Ganga (Governor, Bank of Guyana), Mr. Ronald Gabriel (Governor, Banque de la République d’Haïti), Richard Byles (Governor, Bank of Jamaica), Mr. Maurice Roemer (Governor, Central Bank van Suriname) and Dr. Alvin Hilaire (Governor, Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago). (PR/GIS)