Government

Global Supply Chain Forum Tackles Rising Costs and Logistics Challenges for Small Island States

The inaugural United Nations Trade and Development Global Supply Chain Forum (GSCF) kicked off in Barbados this week, shining a spotlight on the significant transport and logistics challenges facing small island developing states (SIDS). The four-day event, hosted by the Government of Barbados and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), brought together over 900 delegates from 127 countries to address these pressing issues.

Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley set the tone for the forum, highlighting the dire situation faced by SIDS during the COVID-19 pandemic. She revealed that shipping costs for these island nations had skyrocketed by a staggering 76% compared to pre-pandemic levels. This surge in costs, coupled with geopolitical tensions and supply chain disruptions, has had a debilitating effect on SIDS, driving up prices for importers, carriers, and consumers.

Mottley emphasized that SIDS pay more for transport, insurance, and maritime imports than any other country grouping. Furthermore, liner connectivity for these islands has declined by 10%, surpassing the global average drop of 8%. “We’re the first to lose market share,” she lamented, adding that SIDS are often the “last to be seen” and bear the brunt of the global pursuit of unsustainable lifestyles.

The Prime Minister also underscored the additional challenges posed by climate change and natural disasters. In 2021, Barbados experienced events that led to the closure of its air and seaports for several days and the temporary closure of 38 buildings due to volcanic dust from the eruption of La Soufriere in St. Vincent.

*Members of the audience at the UNCTAD Conference*

Recognizing the need for comprehensive solutions, Mottley called for the pursuit of the Bridgetown Initiative and reforms to the global financial architecture, ensuring fair opportunities for developing countries, including vulnerable middle-income countries and SIDS.

UNCTAD Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan echoed the Prime Minister’s sentiments, highlighting the disproportionate impact of higher maritime costs on inflation in SIDS compared to the rest of the world. She emphasized the need for inclusivity, sustainability, and resilience in supply chains, and expressed hope that the forum would provide concrete tools and technical assistance to address these challenges.

United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed described the GSCF as a pivotal moment in charting a way forward, urging participants to seize this opportunity to forge a brighter future where no nation is left behind and global trade remains a force for economic growth, prosperity, and sustainable development.

As the forum continues, delegates will engage in discussions and seek solutions to address the multiple disruptions to global supply chains and the significant impacts on developing countries, with a particular focus on the unique challenges faced by SIDS.

Government

Barbados Statistical Service Statement On Data Breach

The Barbados Statistical Service (BSS) confirms that we recently experienced a cyber incident. Ongoing investigations suggest that the systems of the BSS were breached on October 30, 2024, and that data was obtained by malicious actors. The Data Commissioner was advised.

Within 24 hours of the intrusion into the systems of the BSS, an incident response team was mobilised and deployed by the relevant Authority to contain the incident and investigate the scope of the breach along with BSS IT staff.

The incident has been contained, systems taken offline, and the investigations, so far, reveal that most of the information involved in this incident relates to survey data gathered primarily for statistical research purposes and then aggregated. The teams are still in the early stages of their investigations and are currently in the process of restoring data and services from secured backups.

The BSS is cognisant of its obligation to preserve public trust in the very important work of this Department. We will over the coming days and weeks ensure that our systems are appropriately hardened to reduce the probability of a recurrence and will be coming back to the public to advise on any relevant action that should be taken at the individual level to stay safe online following this event. As more information becomes available, we will provide updates to the public. (PR/GIS)

Government

Finance Ministry Approves $30 Million In Tax Payments

The Ministry of Finance, Economic Affairs, and Investment announced that it recently released funds enabling the Barbados Revenue Authority (the Authority) to issue $30.4 million in Personal Income Tax (PIT) refunds for income year 2023 to 39,196 taxpayers. Minister in the Ministry of Finance, Ryan Straughn confirmed the announcement.

Minister Straughn praised the Authority’s efforts in maintaining a streamlined process that facilitates the prompt issuance of refunds.

“The majority of refund payments for income year 2023 have been issued electronically via direct deposit and eligible taxpayers will start seeing the amounts on the account of their selected financial institution from as early as this week. This process reaffirms the Government’s ongoing commitment to improve its operations and to deliver efficient service to citizens,” stated Minister Straughn.

“Just under 13 percent of the refund payments processed are being issued via cheque. The cheque payment process has more layers, is a manual process and takes a longer time to process in relation to the disbursement of the payments. So persons will start receiving refund cheques through the post from the latter part of the month.”

Minister Straughn emphasised that the prompt issuance of PIT refunds aligns with Government’s commitment to a robust, citizen-centric service framework.

“The timely execution of these payments reflects our dedication to supporting taxpayers and delivering on our promises to make government services more accessible and responsive. The Barbados Revenue Authority continues to make strides in improving operational efficiency and service delivery,” he added. (PR/GIS)

Government

Barbados Has New Resident High Commissioner To Ghana

Last Thursday, November 7, Barbados’ first resident High Commissioner of Barbados to Ghana, Juliette Bynoe-Sutherland, presented her Letters of Credentials to the President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, at Jubilee House, Accra, Ghana.

This occasion marked a significant milestone between the two nations, which started formal diplomatic relations in August, 1994.

High Commissioner Bynoe-Sutherland in addressing the dignitaries gathered, brought greetings on behalf of President of Barbados, Her Excellency, The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason, and the Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Amor Mottley.

She thanked President Akufo-Addo for his inspirational words to Barbados at National Heroes Square, during the ceremony marking Barbados becoming a Republic in November, 2021.

In her remarks, High Commissioner Bynoe-Sutherland also focused on the ways in which the Atlantic Bridge was being rekindled through areas of cooperation in culture, trade and commerce, agriculture, life sciences and sports.

Having led the national hospital through COVID 19, the High Commissioner highlighted the successful cooperation in health between the two countries since 2019, which she said now serves as a model.

She shared insights into the positive contributions of the first two cohorts of Ghanaian nurses and the programme underway to welcome and orient the recently arrived third cohort of 155 nurses on November 3, 2024.

President Akufo-Addo in response, spoke about the deep enduring relationship between the countries. He asked that special greetings be sent to Prime Minister Mottley for her support and leadership during Ghana’s efforts around its candidacy for Commonwealth Secretary General.

As Barbados assumes from Ghana the Chairmanship of the Climate Vulnerability Forum (V20), cooperation is expected to deepen between the countries on climate vulnerability and efforts to achieve reform of the international financial institutions captured by the Bridgetown Initiative 3.0.

Senior officials of the Government of Ghana and the Barbados High Commission, along with the High Commissioner’s son, celebrated the occasion.

Also in attendance for the presentation of credentials was Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayokor Bocheway, who was successfully elected as the incoming Seventh Secretary General of the Commonwealth of Nations, and who also joined in well-wishes to the High Commissioner and Barbados.

The new High Commissioner extended appreciation for the warm welcome received by the Mission in Ghana which was established in 2021. (PR/GIS)

Caption: Barbados’ first resident High Commissioner to Ghana, Juliette Bynoe-Sutherland greets Ghana’s President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, at Jubilee House, Accra, Ghana.