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Ministry Seeks To Improve Energy Policy

Barbados is looking at the evolution of its energy mix.

And, Minister of Energy and Business, Senator Lisa Cummins, said it’s on that basis that engagement has commenced with the United Nations Special Envoy for Energy to look at an updated and an investment plan meant to overlay the Barbados National Energy Policy, as well as a further revision of the Integration Resource and Resiliency Plan (IRRP).

Senator Cummins made the comments at the opening of the three-day Energy Local Content Capacity Building Workshop, at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre, on Tuesday.

The Minister continued: “Even though our IRRP was [developed] in 2021, which is comparatively quite recent, I think we all accept that this is a fast moving industry. The developments are being overtaken by time, and the competitive initiatives of yesterday are being overtaken by the competitive initiatives of today.

“And, so even as at 2021, there is a further need for us to have updated and constantly evolving policy directions, and we are committed to ensuring that that is done over the next six months, and we expect to be able to have that ready in time for us to present at the next COP [28], later this year.”

She noted that discussions were presently ongoing with related partners on the modernisation of the electricity grid and investments in storage.

After the official opening ceremony, Senator Cummins told the media that a number of meetings had been held with local stakeholders, and the UN Special Envoy and her team. She added that internal developmental meetings were held last week with the national team, with inputs from stakeholders.

She pointed out that the necessary information had been shared with the UN Special Advisor on Energy and her team. “We are expecting that between a three to six-month timeframe, they will be in a position to say ‘2030, this is your target, this is what you need to do every year incrementally between now and then and this is what it will cost you to do it,” she explained.

Senator Cummins told the workshop that during the recently completed mission to Abu Dhabi, officials met with partners from across the world, under the framework of the United Nations.

She said Barbados will be forging new relationships going forward to ensure the island can navigate many of the supply chain challenges, as well as access skills to build capacity in institutions and among local suppliers, in an effort to forge partnerships that attract investment to Barbados.

The Minister continued: “We are simultaneously also … looking at the skills that we need, equally, to develop…. We are going to be working with one of the institutions out of Scotland to map what our education and capacity-building needs are…, to be able to position Barbados as a global leader in renewable energy.

“The jobs of the future in the energy industry are not necessarily the job of the past. The skills of the future in the energy industry are going to need to be upskilled, retooled, retrained, transformed, [and] internationalised. We are committed to ensuring that this knowledge economy that Barbados has built historically, through our education system, in a range of disciplines also, is positioned to ensure that Barbados is a world leader in the provision of top and world-class energy, and renewable energy in particular, technical competencies.” (PR/GIS)

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Remembrance Day Parade On November 10, 2024

Barbados will remember the servicepeople who lost their lives during World Wars I and II, with the customary Remembrance Day Parade and a short inter-denominational service at the Cenotaph, National Heroes Square, The City, on Sunday, November 10.

The parade will commence at 8:00 a.m. and will be broadcast live on national television and radio.

Several armed and unarmed uniformed groups will be on parade, including the Barbados Defence Force, The Barbados Police Service, the Barbados Legion, the Barbados Fire Service, the Barbados Prison Service, the Boy Scouts, and Girl Guides.

Wreaths will be laid at the Cenotaph by the President of Barbados, Her Excellency The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason; Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, Chief Justice Leslie Haynes, members of the diplomatic corps, and other dignitaries.

The service will be followed by an informal inspection of veterans and a march-past by uniformed groups. Members of the public desirous of attending the event are asked to collect tickets from the receptionist at Government Headquarters, Bay Street, St. Michael, from Monday, November 4, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

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Key Reminders When Considering Investment Opportunities

The Financial Services Commission (FSC) is reminding the public to exercise caution when considering investments in Multi-Level Marketing (MLM) schemes. While MLMs may present themselves as legitimate business opportunities, some can be risky or even illegal, leading to significant financial losses.

Here are some key things to consider before making any investments:

1. Research the Company/Person(s): Thoroughly investigate the background, business model, and reputation of any of the company or persons involved. Verify whether the company or persons associated with the investment are registered and regulated by relevant authorities like the Financial Services Commission.

2. Understand the Business Model: Genuine businesses generate revenue primarily through the sale of products or services, not recruitment of participants. Be wary of models that emphasise recruitment over product sales.

3. Check for Red Flags: Promises of high returns with little effort, emphasis on recruiting others, or pressure to make large upfront investments are warning signs.

4. Consult with Experts: Seek advice based on your financial goals and wherewithal from regulated individuals or companies set up to provide such guidance.

The public is urged to approach all investment opportunities with caution and conduct their due diligence to safeguard their financial well-being.

It is an offence for persons not registered or licensed with the Commission to offer investment advice, sell financial products or deal in securities.

The public is encouraged to notify the Commission of any situations where entities or individuals engage in these practices without being duly registered and/or licensed. (PR/GIS)

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Barbadians Continue To Benefit From UNESCO Training In Cuba

Barbadians continue to benefit from UNESCO training courses in Cuba, despite the country experiencing an island-wide blackout from Friday, October 18.

Three Barbadians are currently in Cuba participating in the Caribbean Cultural Training Hub of the UNESCO Programme Transcultura: Integrating Cuba, the Caribbean and the European Union through Culture and Creativity, which was organised by the UNESCO Regional Office in Havana, and funded by the European Union.

Historian and Genealogical Researcher, Stacia Martindale, is participating in the course Designing Small Businesses in Heritage Tourism Destinations, while Landscape Architectural Technician, Kodi Husbands, and Assistant Coordinator and Researcher of the Barbados National Register of Historic Places, Rhianna Smith, are participating in the course Introduction to the Management of Integrated Development of Historic Centers.

They shared their experiences of being in Cuba and about the courses they are studying.

Ms. Martindale said: “So far, the experience has been very amazing. I’ve been loving the culture of Cuba and the general experience in class.

It’s really been exciting for me. It’s my first time in Cuba. I think I know quite a bit about Cuba just because I’m really interested in History. I’m actually a History teacher, so to come here, where that history has happened, is really, really exciting for me.”

Mr. Husbands, who is on his second visit to Cuba, shared that the first time he visited was on a vacation. “It really resonated with me. I got to understand the culture a lot more [and] I was able to identify with the people after speaking to them about their experiences and how they live. That’s what inspired me to continue working in sustainable architecture and design, and cater for society and the people, rather than doing it for money.

“So far, I’ve found different methods or techniques and practices which can be useful for back home in my field of architecture. And different ways I can further develop my country, whether it’s towns like Bridgetown, Speightstown, or Oistins. Or even smaller communities like in the East Coast, or in St. George or more rural areas as well,” he remarked.

It is also the second time for Ms. Smith, who previously benefitted from a course in June, this year, at the prestigious International Film and Television School of San Antonio de Los Baños, on the outskirts of Havana.

“This experience has been a lot different compared to when I was in San Antonio. Havana is a lot more active and has a lot more to see. And so, I’ve been able to immerse in the culture in ways that I was not able to the first time around,” Ms. Smith said.

She added: “We have been having some tours where we have been seeing examples of not only the restoration of historic sites and buildings, but also the repurposing of those buildings for uses that really fit the community. For instance, earlier this week we visited a daycare. But it was a day care for the elderly which doubles as a day care for babies, and so on.

“And so, what they are trying to do is to integrate those two generations and, of course, develop a consciousness of caring for the elderly. Things like that have led me to conclude that it’s been nothing short of inspiring so far, and I’m just looking forward to seeing where things go.” (PR/GIS)

Caption: From left to right – Rhianna Smith, Barbados’ Ambassador to Cuba, Dr. Sharon Marshall; UNESCO Director Anne Lemaistre; Stacia Martindale; and Kodi Husbands pose for a photograph