The Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) Intern of the 2016-2017 year, Dr. Simone Evelyn, appears to be on the same career path as her father, Dr. Victor Evelyn.

The young doctor was praised for the hard work she put in during her intern year at the hospital, during an awards ceremony which took place in the board room at the QEH yesterday morning.

She revealed that when she got the call from Dr. Clyde Cave, Internship Co-ordinator, she was speechless but pleasantly surprised and humbled to be awarded such a title.

She revealed that, like her father, she plans to go into internal medicine.

“My dad is proud that I’m following in his footsteps; but he always told me to do what I wanted to do. He always tells me to do what makes me happy because at the end of the day, it doesn’t make sense to do something that doesn’t make me happy, so I’m satisfied and happy with my choice,” she said.

On her plans going forward, Evelyn stated that she wants to get into internal medicine due to its wide reach. She explained that other sub-specialities were narrow, but with internal medicine there was a wider appreciation for most of the pathologies going on in the body. She revealed that during her rotation period, her time in internal medicine was her favourite and added that her team felt like family.

She revealed that haematology was a late love as she recently found the area of study to be quite interesting.

“It is such a great area for research, especially in this region. In Jamaica we have a lot of persons with sickle cell disease, so I think there’s lots of opportunities for research in that area going forward as well,” she said.

Evelyn went on to note that her favourite part of her internship year was knowing that the work she put into the medicine and taking care of the patients was actually appreciated.

“That really warms my heart when I know that myself and my team can actually help and change a person’s life,” she said.

Since returning to office, the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) has quietly but confidently been transforming education in this country.

That’s according to Minister of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Ronald Jones. His comments came as he spoke of the work of his ministry during a press conference at the DLP’s George Street headquarters yesterday, to launch the e-version of the 62nd Annual Conference document. He also told the media and party supporters gathered that as much as 18 to 20 per cent of the Government’s annual expenditure, some five to six per cent of the Gross Domestic Product, is allocated to and spent on education.

He made the point as he spoke to the work being done to expand the post-secondary school offerings in Barbados, particularly by way of the creation of additional sixth forms at several schools across the island. Jones noted that the initial four sixth form schools – Harrison College, Queen’s College, Combermere and The Lodge School along with the Barbados Community College (BCC), were not meeting the demands of students for higher education, leaving hundreds without an option to pursue higher learning.

“We thought that it was necessary since BCC itself didn’t have the physical capacity or resources to expand, to do some expansion at the sixth form level across several schools. This is a singular achievement, I think, for this Government. We would have wanted to turn every single school into a sixth form establishment, therefore taking up all of our children who would have successfully transitioned from CSEC to CAPE or the Associate Degree of CXC, or the Associate Degree of the Barbados Community College,” he noted.

Jones said that the first two new sixth form schools – Christ Church Foundation and The St. Michael School – have been performing well over the last four years and since then Springer Memorial, St. Leonard’s Boys and Alexandra School have joined the mix. This year, he said, Ellerslie Secondary and The Alleyne School are set to commence their sixth forms, once all goes well.

“We are currently doing a study on the expansion, but it suffices to say we have put into the school system approximately 1 000 students who hitherto, even though matriculating at a level that gave them an opportunity to further develop and advance, might be struggling to get into the University of the West Indies and that is not what we want,” he said.

His comments came as he added that even with more students pursing the CXC’s CAPE programmes, there has been no drop in the success rate of students at that level. He indicated that Barbados usually achieves between 96 and 98 per cent passes Grade 1 to 5 and this has continued. (JRT)

THE ruling Democratic Labour Party (DLP) has put the booklet for its upcoming conference this weekend online, for the whole of Barbados to access.

Speaking at the press launch of the e-version of the DLP’s 62nd Annual Conference Document titled ‘Barbados First’, General Secretary of the DLP, George Pilgrim, said this is the first time that the document will be in the public domain before the official start of the conference, which is scheduled to take place from September 1-3. That document, which has been uploaded to the party’s Facebook page and website, outlines the stewardship of the political party, including he noted, how they were able to design a set of policies which are in keeping with the theme of the conference – Barbados First.

“We come together at a time when as a people we need to put Barbados first. Let me say that ‘Barbados First’ was chosen as the theme for this year’s conference as it describes in two words our policy journey. Barbados First does not represent an attempt by this party to involve isolationist policies which would attempt to shut out foreign investment or any outsiders, rather it underscores a value system that speaks to an ethos that has modernised this country. So the idea of Barbados First is not new,” he said.

His comments came as he noted that their record in such areas as health and education and the investments they have and continue to make in those sectors, speaks volumes to the efforts by the ruling party to always put the best interest of this country at the forefront. And, he explained that the Government was able to achieve that even in the face of “anti-Dems alliances”.

“Comrades, the Democratic Labour Party is right for Barbados, because we put Barbados first,” he maintained.

His remarks came as he made it clear that the document was not to be viewed in any way as a manifesto for the next general election, showing any entitlement to a third term in office. (JRT)

Memoirs and their usefulness in preserving details of the past came into sharp focus during the launch of ‘An Accidental Life’.

This book was written by former Deputy Vice Chancellor and Vice Principal of the University of Guyana, Dr. Harold Drayton. It was launched on Monday at ‘The Orchard’ in Blowers, St. James.

Addressing the audience in attendance, Theo Williams highlighted a significance of the text.

“Memoirs are not simply details of an individual’s life, very importantly they are also a record of the times in which they lived. It would be the benefit of future generations if more books of this sort were written; books that whatever their perspective would afford readers’ views of history by people who lived it.”

Similarly speaking about the importance of memoirs and more specifically the text, Member of Parliament for St. James South, Donville Inniss, stated: “My generation needs to have a better understanding of what went before us.”

He added, “I am very saddened, I must admit, in spite of the best efforts of individuals like Ralph Jemmott, who would have taught us at Harrison College … my generation in particular, really do not have, to my mind, a very deep appreciation of what our forefathers really did for us to get what we have today. Sometimes we are so caught up in this modern era that we don’t take time out to listen to the older folks, we don’t take time out to read and understand. What I am hearing captured and reflected in this book is the journey of a man with roots in Guyana, but certainly who had an opportunity to traverse the Caribbean region and to go further afield.”

Monday’s book launch was attended by Consul General of Guyana, Cita Pilgrim; Attorney, Andrew Pilgrim, Q.C.; wife of Dr. Harold Drayton, Vonna Caleb-Drayton; and Historian, Sir Woodville Marshall.

In his remarks, Sir Woodville described the over 900-page text “as a classic Caribbean story”, which “the thread of migration runs through it”. He additionally told the audience that the book by the former Caribbean Regional Advisor in Human Resources Development with the Pan-American Health Organisation is well presented.

“The book is well written and this is as one would expect from one who had a sensitivity to literature and a life-long exposure to literature. Therefore, his sketches of some of those he encountered on his journeying are memorable. Like for example, what he had to say about the principal of Queen’s College … and of course, the list goes on and on. What I wish to emphasise about the contents of the book is that these contain materials which will both inform and sharpen commentary on a range of social and political issues. It is a source book because of course, it has the correspondence, it has the documentation and of course, it has the very close commentary of Harry myself.”

Supreme Court Judge in Bermuda, Justice Carlisle Greaves, believes that the justice system in Barbados takes too long to do things.

His comments came as he delivered the feature address on Crime and Judicial Process Improvement during a dinner meeting of the Rotary Club at the Accra Beach Hotel and Spa on Wednesday evening. Greaves, who served as a magistrate in Barbados before migrating to Bermuda, noted that he believes certain things need to change in the justice system if there are to be any improvements.

He noted that like Barbados, Bermuda use to have a major gun problem and the Bermuda Government responded with tough laws.

“They outlawed firearms for all people. So in Bermuda it became unlawful for anyone to possess a weapon or firearm of a barrel of less than 24 inches; and they gave firearm a very wide definition, so even the fisherman’s flare gun got caught,” he said.

Following the outlawing of firearms, Greaves noted that there are some serious penalties. He announced that the first conviction penalty came with ten years in prison, and if a second conviction came, they added another five years to the previous ten. He reported that this technique worked for years.

Greaves also believes that the Barbados Justice system should take note of the swiftness in which they brought a man to court following the solving of the crime.

“So the cases for example that went to the Privy Council went through the Magistrate’s court, the Criminal trial court, the Court of Appeal and the Privy Council in about two years. In Barbados, you haven’t even started your preliminary inquiry,” he said.

Additionally, he noted that the sentencing in Bermuda is also rough, and believes Barbados should also take note of this.

The members of the Rotary Club also took time out of their meeting to honour the members of the Interact Club of the Queen’s College Secondary School who received scholarships.
President of the Rotary Club, Hiranand Thani, expressed that they believe it is important to recognise the success of their junior members.

Participants of Project SOFT (Safeguarding Our Future Today) are more aware of the steps to take to ensure they make the best choices.

This follows an informative talk by Sargeant Hallam Jemmott, who is the officer in charge of the Royal Barbados Police Force’s Juvenile Liaison Scheme. He spoke to the 32 campers during a session on Wednesday at Mariah Retreat House. The topic he dealt with was “Juvenile Delinquency”.

Jemmott reminded the pre-teens that almost everything done in life requires them to make a choice. Therefore when it comes to decision making they should focus on their CACTUS (Choices, Attitude, Consequence, Team work, Ultimate goals and Strengths). Some of what he shared included the fact that they should always make positive choices, be mindful that sometimes your attitude can help or hinder you from being successful and that they should
find their strengths, focus on them and develop them.

He additionally encouraged the participants, who are involved in the 15th annual one-week residential camp, to think for themselves and not to follow others blindly. He further told them to be aware that each choice they make has a positive or a negative consequence.

Jemmott also gave the group background about what juvenile delinquency is. He spoke about the role of the Scheme and shared some of the trouble youngsters find themselves in that leads to them being placed in reformatory and industrial schools.

He left the participants of Project SOFT, which is hosted by the National Council on Substance Abuse (NCSA), with four keys things that they should keep in mind. These were to understand that change begins with them, to know that they should learn to listen and listen to learn, to be mindful that together everybody achieves more and lastly to be willing to embrace error and celebrate success. (MG)

THE pilot project of a hypertension treatment protocol, launched in Barbados in 2015, is being described by authorities as successful.

Minister of Health, John Boyce, reported to the media that while the Standardized Hypertension Treatment Project (SHTP) which was launched at the Winston Scott and Edgar Cochran Polyclinics, has proven to be beneficial to the island’s health care system; efforts are now being made to use the treatment protocol at all polyclinics.

Speaking during a press conference at his Ministry’s Frank Walcott Building, Culloden Road, St Michael headquarters, yesterday, Minister Boyce said starting a new programme is never easy and although there were
challenges throughout the 18 month programme, it must be highlighted that there were successes as well.

However, according to Boyce, analysis of the programme indicated that there is significant benefit to be obtained by use of a core set of anti-hypertensives in the management of hypertension. “I am very proud and
delighted to let you know that the Barbados Drug Service provides one of the broadest selections of high quality and efficacious drugs for management of non-communicable diseases such as hypertension.

“The protocol produced has led to some positive change in the prescribing habits of our primary care physicians, better blood pressure control among our clients and a more engaged patient,” he said.

The Minister indicated that the continued success of the programme will require commitment from the country’s primary care physicians, pharmacists, medical records officers, dieticians, as well as patients.

“To make this programme viable, we need a health information system that can streamline care with the ability to analyse and predict service use.

“I am happy to report that the Health Information System (HIS), known as Med-Data, is now functional in all our polyclinics with modules currently being added for maternal and child health,” Boyce said.

Dr. Lorna M. English, the Deputy Chief of the Global Noncommunicable Diseases Branch of the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said based on the positive results from the Barbados pilot, the Center along with the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Pan-American Health Organisation (PAHO) and other global partners, integrated the use of the evidence-based tools and practices that were promoted and demonstrated by the SHTP into the technical packages of a programme called the Global Hearts Imitative. She said the tools developed for the Global Hearts technical packages reflect lessons learned in Barbados.

The key elements of the SHTP applied throughout the technical packages include: standardized evidence based treatment protocols, team-based care, access to medicines, registries for patient monitoring and evaluation.
“Barbados and the PAHO region are global leaders in moving this work forward. It is no surprise that many other countries throughout the world are interested in applying the same simple cost-effect approach. Countries are already beginning to use tools from the Global Hearts technical packages, but as the programme scales up globally, we want to remember how Global Hearts got started, and make sure that Barbados continues to succeed in controlling hypertension,” Dr. English said.

The Deputy Chief noted that as Barbados expands the approach across the country, control of hypertension will have a significant impact on the health and economic well-being of the country. (AH)

One government minister says there has been an increase in individuals seeking help to obtain supplies for back-to-school within his constituency.

Member of Parliament for St. Michael Central, Steven Blackett, links this upsurge to the “economic down turn and the conditions that are existing” within the island presently. “We have seen an increase. We have done 90 children this year and we have some assistance, I must publicly thank the Urban Development Commission (UDC) for stepping up and helping us this year. I believe they would have helped other constituencies too, but if it were not for their contribution this year, wse would have fallen short.”

Blackett was speaking last Friday on the side-lines of his constituency’s annual fun day at Casa Grande Resort. This yearly event is an outing for children from within the St. Michael Central area who sat the Barbados Secondary Schools Entrance Examination (BSSEE). Before arriving at the St. Philip Resort, the 83 children enjoyed lunch at King George V Memorial Park.

“We have being doing this since I became the Member of the Parliament for St. Michael Central since 2008. This is one component to the outreach programme within the constituency. First of all, we have our breakfast feeding programme which feeds about just about 140 children every morning during the school term. We also have our Mother’s Day programme where we take out 250 mothers every Mother’s Day to celebrate, a celebratory luncheon. We also have our Back-To-School Drive which we are in the middle of as we speak. We don’t do too much for fathers – which is regrettable – and of course, we have our hampers at Christmas and then we have our 11 Plus programme.” (MG)

DEPUTY Director of the Department of Emergency Management (DEM), Captain Robert Harewood has dismissed a claim that there was a meeting at the DEM on Wednesday night to discuss the then Tropical Storm Irma, which allegedly was veering south on a trajectory that would give Barbados a devastating blow.

The claim was made on a voice note that quickly made its way across social media on Wednesday, sending some persons into a state of panic. The male voice in the voice note suggested he had just left a meeting with DEM officials and it was determined that Irma was a one-in-50-year hurricane that would be even more devastating than Hurricane Janet which, according to him, passed to the north of the island and wreaked havoc.

When contacted yesterday, Captain Harewood opined that people who make these malicious claims should be imprisoned. He also pointed to errors in the voice note, clarifying that Hurricane Janet had passed to the south of the island, not the north. He assured that the DEM is in close contact with officials from the Met Office and is monitoring the system.

He told the Barbados Advocate, “What people have done, which is correct, is they asked the DEM to confirm. We were able to deny it. If there was a meeting at DEM most people would know, including the media,” he said.

Meanwhile over at the Barbados Meteorological Services, senior meteorologist Clem Williams also expressed concern about the misinformation circulating on social media and noted that this is not the first time it has happened. He encouraged persons to only pay attention to official statements as they are issued by the Met Office.

“I am not sure you are going to be able to fight this social media thing because there are people who can put these things out here anonymously. At the end of the day they don’t have to worry whether or not it turns out to be true or false.

“Here at the Met office, we have to be more responsible, and generally in a situation like this with a system so far as this, we monitor it as soon as it comes off the African Coast, but when they are that far away there is a lot that can happen. If you start to put information out there at this stage, you are going to create panic.”
He stressed that there is a large degree of error even with the graphics on National Hurricane sites.

“As the Met Office, the official entity, we don’t start putting anything out there until we have a reasonably good idea about what is going to happen. Two to three days out.”

Williams said the Met Office puts out information when officials are reasonably certain about what is going to happen and at this stage that is not the case.
“If you have to respond to everything that you hear or see on social media then you will always be responding. The most we can do is do what we do all the time: Ask people to listen to the official source of meteorological information. People need to by-pass the social media conversations and in situations like these where you are dealing with Tropical storms and hurricanes, listen to what officials say,” he urged. Williams assured that the Met Office is continuing to monitor Irma and will issue a statement today. (JH)

One of the ways of addressing the increasing levels of gun violence that is creeping up in our societies is to change the mindset of our people, particularly our young people, with regard to how they view certain things and to interact and engage with them in a way that brings out their skills and talents more.

This is one of the comments made by Ian ‘iWeb’ Webster, as he spoke to the media after he officially collected the keys to his Nissan X-Trail, which he won in the 2017 Courtesy Mount Gay Pic-O-De-Crop Calypso Final.

He explained that as children grow up in a society where they see gun violence being played out, as a result their natural inclination is to mimic what they see and if this trend continues, then it would not have a positive forecast for the future of this nation and the next generations.

He added that a part engaging the youth differently and letting their own individual talents shine through would include helping them to find their particular strengths, because not everyone would be academically inclined, but there would be other things that that these persons can excel in such as music or technology and those close to these young people have to help them find their niche and then help them to harness that calling by taking it to higher levels of development.

“I think first of all, it starts with a mindset. We need to get our people thinking differently…we’ve got to engage them differently – on an intellectual level. We’ve got to start to maximize their potential in terms of our education system and make the system such that people who are not necessarily academically inclined may be able to achieve. Though they may not be academically inclined, they may be musically inclined, they may be technically inclined, but set up our structure in such a way that they are able to strive and progress in life. Overall, I would like to see a change in the education system where we harness the natural abilities of all our people so that they can truly maximize their potential,” he said.

Senator the Hon. Dr Esther Byer-Suckoo is assuring Barbadians that there is no immediate threat to the National Insurance Fund (NIF).

She revealed yesterday that overall it continues to be “sound and viable”.

The Minister of Labour, Social Security and Human Resource Development gave this assurance as she disclosed the findings of the 15th Actuarial Review, which analyses the experiences between 2012 and 2014 and presents prospects for the National Insurance, Unemployment and Severance Funds. Experiences between January 2015 and September 2016 have also been factored into all analyses and recommendations.

She stressed that the Fund “is not facing cash flow challenges at this time”, noting that the National Insurance Management and Board continues to monitor very closely the cash flow situation.

“And it continues to be a case where the contribution and investment income is sufficient to meet the benefits and other pay-outs of the National Insurance – so the National Insurance is not facing cash flows challenges at this time,” she reiterated.

“All National Insurance Schemes around the world face challenges. In fact, the challenges that our National Insurance face are not unlike those challenges that we see others face. For example, the issue of economic growth; the challenge of an ageing demographic; the issues with technology; the issues of self-employed persons not contributing… all of those are global challenges,” she pointed out.

While acknowledging that the biggest benefits paid out by National Insurance are pensions, Dr. Byer-Suckoo told reporters, “But, as evidence of the fact that the National Insurance is sound and viable, there really is no pension reform that is being proposed at this time.

“The actuary has indicated that there is no need for pension reform until between 2048-2074… However, if the economic growth is weak, 0.75 per cent or lower, then of course we would have to look at engaging in pension reform at an earlier date, somewhere between 2028 and 2045.”

She also disclosed that the actuary concluded that the National Insurance Fund will be very well funded and sustainable, if Barbados can achieve sustained economic growth – an average annual economic growth rate of about 1 to 1.5 per cent.

“…Our major concern is that there is economic growth and that would ensure the viability of the National Insurance Fund. That economic growth is not something that National Insurance itself is directly responsible for, but as we know through the statements by the Minister of Finance, his budgetary measures articulated in the Financial Statement and Budgetary Proposals recently, such measures would see us continuing on an economic growth path.” (TL)

The international business sector is contributing as much as $1 billion to the local economy, but only some $8 million is allotted annually to promoting that sector.

This, says Marlon Waldron, President of the Barbados International Business Association (BIBA), is something that needs to be addressed. He made the comments while delivering welcome remarks at a seminar hosted by BIBA yesterday at the Savannah Hotel, under the theme “What Businesses Need to Know about BEPS and DTAS”, as he lamented that tourism promotion is allocated over $100 million a year.

“We are asking the powers that be, now that the country is aware of the impact of international business to our economy, to reconsider this disparity so that international business can reach its full potential and make the contribution we know that it can to the revenue and foreign reserves of Barbados,” Waldron added.

He noted that much of the blame regarding the country’s current economic reality has been placed at the feet of the international business sector. Waldron lamented that Government officials have, in referring to the shortfall of revenues of some $1.4 billion and lower corporation taxes collected by the Government, placed the shortfall at the doorstep of the International Business and Financial Services sector.

“One may see this as blaming of the International Business sector for the current unfortunate state in which our country has found itself as grossly unfair, especially when in good times it is not this sector that is given the credit for the country’s sound, healthy state in terms of its foreign reserves and fiscal position. In better times that credit is given wholly to a sector which, up to now, the nation has been encouraged to think of as our most important one. I believe we should find this very interesting. I take it in a very positive light; I see it as being at last a recognition of the immense importance of international business to Barbados and the valuable contribution it has been making over the years,” he said.

Nevertheless, Waldron admitted that the sector has had challenges, and will likely always experience challenges given the nature of the sector. But he maintained that its survival will depend on how we adapt and equip the domicile to take full advantage of the opportunities that will present themselves in spite of the challenges. He made the point as he argued that Government missed such an opportunity when Canada made changes to its laws, allowing exempt surplus treatment for profits flowing from countries which agreed to tax information exchange agreements with it.

“Some companies left Barbados and re-domiciled in zero tax jurisdictions. As a result of the relocation of four of those companies, Barbados lost about US$60 million in corporate taxes. One of the four companies which re-domiciled actually engaged the Government, requesting a solution. Needless to say, it was never given in a timely manner and that company left Barbados,” he said.

Waldron maintained that was the time that Barbados should have intensified its efforts in the market place. He further contended that there should have been an increase in the financial and other resources allocated to the development of the sector. (JRT)

There is more to Barbados as an international business jurisdiction than a low tax rate.

That’s the message Minister of Industry, International Business, Commerce and Small Business Development, Donville Inniss, says is imperative that Barbados broadcast aloud and abroad for all to hear. He made this clear as he suggested that the low tax rate marketing strategy could actually be doing the country more harm than good. The International Business Minister made the point as he gave the feature address at a seminar hosted by the Barbados International Business Association at the Savannah Hotel on ‘What Businesses Need to Know about Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) and Double Taxation Agreements (DTAs)’.

“The OECD [Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development], the Forum is looking to see are we just attracting businesses because of the lower tax rate. And let me say that part of the deliberation today must be an indication to you as to what it is that we are proposing to do to address the issue. But we also want to hear from you as what you think we ought to be doing,” he said.

Inniss added, “I have been contending for years that our marketing efforts as a jurisdiction should not continue to be centred around the lower tax rate. We may very well be shooting ourselves in the foot and doing harm to us as a domicile, if our marketing effort is focused almost exclusively on coming to Barbados because we offer a very low tax rate. Barbados offers much more than that tax rate.”

As such, the minister, contending that a new marketing strategy is critical, also took issue with the fact that the agency tasked with marketing the International Business sector is not part of the Ministry of International Business. Inniss said this has been a major concern for him for many years and he is adamant that the matter needs to be addressed, as there is the risk of losing the connection, directive and policy perspective that is required to advance the sector.

“Our marketing strategies must be relooked to ensure that we are saying the right things, to the right people, in the right markets. I don’t think we are there yet… So even as we go forth, we can’t keep saying, ‘Come to Barbados because we have a low tax.’ We want to say, ‘Come to Barbados because we offer substance to your business,’” he said.

Turning his attention to the Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development’s BEPS initiative, Minister Inniss said efforts by countries to exploit gaps and avoid taxation have been going on for many years and has been driven by countries feeling that they are losing out on significant revenue that is needed to keep their economies going. With that in mind, he said the BEPS initiative offers an advantage to Barbados, as we can promote Barbados as a “domicile of substance”.

“We have competent professionals here to run your businesses; we have office space you can operate from; we have flights in and out of Barbados; we have a banking system that works… So one of the solutions we will have to wrap our minds around quickly is our definition of substance, and it may mean that some of the companies that are not looking to offer substance may have to find another domicile to go to. Because it is better for you to have 100 companies offering a great substance in our domicile, than a thousand that are really are not doing anything of significance,” he maintained. (JRT)

There is concern that the increase in the rate charged for the National Social Responsibility Levy (NSRL) will have negative implications for the International Business sector.

Speaking during the opening of a seminar hosted by the Barbados International Business Association (BIBA), yesterday at the Savannah Beach Hotel, under the theme ‘What Businesses Need to Know about Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) and Double Taxation Agreements (DTAs)’, President of BIBA Marlon Waldron lamented that the levy, which moved from two to 10 per cent two months ago, is going to result in companies, seeking to set up operations here, having to spend more money to do so.

“It is going to be more difficult for us to explain to companies coming to Barbados to set up office, importing furniture and fittings, why they have to pay this levy on their imports; and given that section 20 of the IBC [International Business Companies] Act states that they are exempt from all imposts on imports for the operation of their businesses,” he said.

Waldron is adamant that this “level of inconsistency” that exists must be avoided when dealing with international investors. He made the point as he warned that it breaches the “expectation of certainty” those businesses expect and adds yet another irritant to doing business in this country. The BIBA president raised the issue as he lamented about the challenges presented when trying to do business in Barbados.

Touching on the country’s foreign exchange reserves position, which at the end of June was said to be 9.7 weeks of import cover, the BIBA president said this is very worrying. He added while it has been suggested that to improve this, the economy needs to grow and international business needs to make a greater contribution to the economy, the latter cannot occur without a “real initiative” by Government to address the ease of doing business. He charged that the impediments to business are holding the sector back, and as such, he maintained that no efforts should be spared in placing resources behind such an initiative.

“Despite the drop in corporate tax collection and the difficulties faced doing business here, this sector remains a main revenue and net foreign exchange earner for Barbados, as we continue to see companies setting up here and making their contribution at an average of about 400 entities per year,” he said.

To that end, he contended that there is no doubt that the International Business sector is holding its own and must keep pressing on. (JRT)

AT this time when many are panicking about the crime situation in Barbados, one Parliamentarian is recommending that all members of society come together to find solutions to tackle the issue.

This is according to Member of Parliament for St James North, Edmund Hinkson, who told The Barbados Advocate that it is also important for those who have made it in society to go back into the communities where they were nurtured, to mentor the youth.

“We need those who are in positions of responsibility, those who have achieved on the backs of ancestors, who have worked hard and toiled, to put back something into our communities and into the country as a whole.
“These children are the future and we cannot afford to have our young people going astray. They must be given the opportunities that we can offer them to become law abiding citizens, fulfilling their full potential, and to have hope so that they can achieve,” Hinkson said.

Speaking during an educational tour for children from his constituency, on Thursday, the Member of Parliament said it is clear that many of the young people, who are getting in trouble with the law and “creating havoc”, may be feeling a sense of hopelessness.

He said many of the youth often lament that they wish there were opportunities that would allow them to succeed.

“But we have to come together and figure out how we are going to tackle this issue. But, it is the duty of those who have achieved not to sit back and only think about themselves and their immediate family.

“We all have a duty to go back into our communities, whether it is in our sporting organisations, whether it is in our community organisations, or whether it is in our churches, to help mentor the youth so that they can see that they can achieve as well,” he said. (AH)

OVER 40 students from primary schools in St James North and St Peter were treated to an educational tour and fun day, on Thursday.

The all-day activities commenced with tours at WIBISCO by a group from St Alban’s Primary, while the students from Roland Edwards and Boscobelle Primary schools went to Pine Hill Diary.

The tours were planned by Member of Parliament for St James North Edmund Hinkson and Barbados Labour Party (BLP) candidate for St Peter, Colin Jordan.

The students also got a glimpse of the Parliament Museum, while the tour culminated at the King George V Memorial Park, where a barbeque was held for all.

During the tour at Parliament, Hinkson indicated to The Barbados Advocate that this was the third year that he and Jordan came together to treat children from graduating classes to a memorable day of fun.

The Member of Parliament stressed that spending time with the youth is a major part of his representation as he looks forward to mentoring and guiding them.

“We felt it necessary to make Parliament one of the stops today because it is important for these young people to understand the governance of our society, and the legislative making powers of our nation. Any of these young children on this tour can be a Prime Minister of Barbados one day, or even a head of state.

“Therefore, bringing one or two of these children to Parliament can make them feel, and attempt to achieve, sitting in one of these Chambers someday,” Hinkson said.

Meanwhile, Jordan said educational tours for children are needed now more than ever as many of them are not being exposed to certain aspects of life.

Jordan stressed that from a young age, children must be allowed to see more than just a classroom or a block.

“They must be able to see the real Barbados. It is important for us who are older to facilitate these kinds of experiences for them. They cannot do this on their own because they are minors.”

“Then, a lot of parents are busy trying to make a comfortable life for themselves and their children, so they don’t have time for these kinds of activities. Then there are some parents, who unfortunately may not see the need to do this for their children,” Jordan said. (AH)

The 28 members of the Barbados Cadet Corps who have successfully completed the All Arms Drill Instructor Course over the past two weeks have ensured that they have been set apart from their peers in their commitment and loyalty to Barbados and a sense of honour and respect for this nation.

This is coming from Adrian Knight, Sgt of the Barbados Defence Force (BDF) who delivered the welcome address at the All Arms Drill Instructor Course 1/2017 Closing Ceremony on Monday evening at the BDF headquarters.

“There is one thing that sets us apart from our peers in society. We see the commitment and loyalty to our country and unit, we see a sense of duty, a sense of honour and respect for tradition, knowing that we are a part of a long distinguished tradition and stretches through the centuries. Each day that I marched onto barrack square I did so with the knowledge that I’m about to engage tomorrow’s leaders. I urge you to remember those unique traits of a drill instructor.”

He told them that they have worked hard and pushed themselves beyond what they may have thought were their limits to the point where they may have questioned what they were doing there in the first place as they worked through the rigorous programme and did not let the excruciating heat, the rain and the recent tropical storm, Harvey prevent them from completing this training.

“You have pushed yourself through the agony of two weeks of training. Along the way, I’m sure you faced a few moments when you asked yourself, ‘What am I doing here?’ This training you cadets have been through was not easy. The distorted faces and shirts soaked through with sweat and tears are testament to the determination and commitment residing on the inside of each of you. Through the sunshine and the rain, you have made it. Through the tropical storm and instructors insane you have made it. Cadets, you’ve trained and you are ready for your mission which lies ahead, knowing that success will be measured not merely by performance on the barrack square, but off it as well while understanding the cultures and traditions of a drill instructor.”

Knight urged them to remember the lessons learnt as they embark on their next journey in their lives and to note that as they return as adults to the BDF to serve their country, they would be able to perform at even higher levels.

“Remember also the BDF/Cadet motto: Excellence, a motto which will guide you as a drill instructor…Years from now when you cadets return here to serve your country and your shadows have grown longer, I have no doubt that you would have prevailed in the struggles of our times and I am sure that your legacy will be a Cadet Corps that has emerged stronger and better because of you.”

Next month, the St. Lucy Parish Independence Committee plans to launch a new app, which is intended to link and connect people in the agriculture community.

Word of this came from Karl Scantlebury, a member of the St. Lucy Parish Independence Committee, as he spoke with the media yesterday during their Open Day, which was held at the Barbados Light and Power Photovoltaic Farm.

“This year our project is dealing with agriculture and the project theme is “Agrocy”. We decided to use an app to actually connect persons and entrepreneurs in the community,” he said.

He noted that the app, which had been in development since March of this year, initially only targets the people in the parish of St. Lucy, but added they planned to branch out and target other parishes in Barbados and the wider Caribbean within the coming months after the launch in October.

“It’s built into four sections: farming tech, livestock, dairy produce and kids’ corner. The Farming Tech has a voiceover and the user can go in and see where the greenhouses are located across the parish of St. Lucy,” he said.

Additionally, Scantlebury revealed that the app had two modes, online and offline. He explained that if a person did not have access to the Internet, the app would store information to use remotely.

“We’re trying to build the app from a two-fold for both entrepreneurs and the average person to use in the garden. If they want to do home gardening or farming and a person has plants or sheep to sell, they can connect with that person via the app,” he said.

Scantlebury assured that the app would be user-friendly as most of the interface was pictorial. He explained that the app displayed a map of St. Lucy and had icons to indicate where a person may be selling certain farming products. He also noted that prices would be indicated on the icon as well.

To keep the app relevant, he explained that it used real time data, which they updated through using rapid app development.
“As we go into the community, persons have ideas and content that we then put on the app,” he said.

ADDRESSING the opening gala of the Democratic Labour Party’s 62nd annual general conference at the party’s George Street auditorium headquarters on Friday night, Prime Minister the Hon. Freundel Stuart suggested that he is ready for the upcoming political battle.

The Prime Minister was speaking to a packed auditorium of party-faithful when he issued a battle cry of sorts, as he quoted Shakespeare’s King Henry V:

In peace there’s nothing so becomes a man
As modest stillness and humility, But when the blast of war blows in our ears, Then imitate the action of the tiger: Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood, Disguise fair nature with hard-favored rage.

Prime Minister Stuart, while acknowledging comments that he talks too little, says he likes to listen and observe.

“I am hearing the blast of war blow in my ears and you will be hearing from me over the next few months, as we go towards that historic day. When we come back here for the 63rd Gala Opening I will be thanking you once again for all the hard work you would have put in to ensure the renewal of the mandate of the DLP.”

Prime Minister Stuart says he is not going to attack people in politics, but he will explain them. He said “somebody has to put him or herself through the trouble to explain the present leader of the BLP to Barbadians and I am going to do it.”

According to the Prime Minister, “I am not ashamed to be a Bajan … And I do not believe that the best interest of Barbados will be served or can be served by allowing an arch-conservative in the BLP to preside over the destiny of hard working, working class men and women in this country.”

Stuart stated that he had a choice between the DLP and the BLP as a teenager, but did not feel that the latter coincided with the vision of the type of Barbados within which he would want to live.

“The gospel they preached was not the kind of gospel that held out any hope for me as a young man living in a modest village in St. Philip. I could change my circumstances in such a way that I could rise to be the Prime Minister of Barbados.

“I find it very interesting that so many years after the formation of the other political organisation that they have not got past who they are at and with now.”

He made reference to former leader of the BLP Owen Arthur and what he described as a missed opportunity during the 15 years that he led the BLP.

Prime Minister Stuart told the audience of a conversation that took place between himself and Arthur early one morning while in the Lower Chamber before the sitting started. It was at that time Stuart said, he told Arthur what he had against him in politics.

“You were born in the working class of Barbados. You were raised in the working class of Barbados. You were educated at the expense of the working classes of Barbados. You were given the very rare opportunity of getting a chance to lead the most conservative political organisation in Barbados, the BLP. You were given that chance in 1993. You led it for 15 years.

“After 15 years of leading the BLP, given your origins, given all the support that went into your formation, when you were ready to give up the BLP you had not brought along anybody from your class to whom you could hand it. You had to hand it back to the conservatives.

“I said ‘As far as I am concerned that is a blot on your escutcheon.’ You wouldn’t correct it so it falls to me to correct it,” he told Arthur.”

The Prime Minister said this was an opportunity which Mencea Cox wanted in 1958 but the “snobs and elitists” in that organisation did not feel that a former taxi-driver should be one to take over the organisation.

“So they decided that the leader of the BLP to succeed the founder who was going off to be the first Prime Minister of the West Indies Federation, should be Dr. Hugh Gordon Cummins. I said to Mr. Arthur. The opportunity that you got, Cox wanted and could not get.”

Prime Minister Stuart stressed that the conference’s theme of Barbados First refers to every single person, no matter their station in life. “… Because although we are not all equal in terms of what we have or what we know or what we do, the DLP has created in this country, equality of opportunity that allows every single man and woman and child, to embark on the journey of realising his or her aspirations.

“That is what putting Barbados first is about. Putting the real salt of the earth people of the country who built it, putting their interests out front so that the society could be energised and recreate itself and we could be all the better off for it.” (JH)

Pics called DLP Annual Conf Opening #…

Photo 5

Prime Minister Freundel Stuart presents Samantha “Sammie G”Greaves of the St. Michael Central constituency with the Trident Youth Award for her contribution to the calypso arena and for being a positive role model.

Photo 1
Yannic Boyce of the St. Michael North West constituency received a Trident Youth award from Prime Minister Freundel Stuart for her academic achievements.

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Omari Eastmond of the St. Michael West constituency received a Trident Youth Award for his contribution to the field of science.

President of the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) is rallying the troops for the next general election constitutionally due in 2018.

While not giving a date for this country to return to the polls to choose the next government, DLP President and Prime Minister of Barbados, the Rt. Hon. Freundel Stuart, called on party faithfuls and candidates gathered in the auditorium at the Party’s headquarters yesterday, to “agree to meet at the rendezvous of victory” and secure the re-election of the DLP. He issued the call as he outlined various initiatives undertaken by the Party while in power, which he contended have been for the good of Barbados and its people.

Stuart maintained that any objective evaluation of the DLP’s stewardship since January 2008 would show that they have performed creditably in government, against daunting odds. To that end, he said, that as they campaign to have their mandate renewed, it is imperative that they recognise that the upcoming campaign will not be for
the “weak-kneed or the fainthearted”.

“Being a candidate for the Democratic Labour Party is a serious responsibility. It is a serious responsibility because the call to political service requires of us the pursuit of the highest possible standards. The stakes in politics are always high because they always involve making life better for those without political voice or economic muscle. As we go into the next general election campaign, every candidate and every member of the Democratic Labour Party must be clear in his or her mind what we are fighting for and what we are fighting against,” he insisted.

He made point while contending that the Party must also stand and fight for equal opportunities for all people. He explained that while persons may not be equally blessed with talent, wealth, or influence, every man, woman and child must have the opportunity to realise his or her dreams and personal aspirations. That, he maintained, has been the struggle of the DLP for the past 62 years and there can be “no retreating now”.

“We have also stood and fought for the existence of a secure and viable social safety net for those without political voice, or economic or financial muscle. Nowhere is this commitment better exemplified than in our National Insurance Scheme, which is now celebrating 50 successful years of existence. The quality of a society is determined by the provision it makes for its most vulnerable citizens.

That conviction inspired the Democratic Labour Party in its approach to social security. We do not believe that the weak should be left to go to the wall,” the PM stated.
He added, “We have set our faces against the existence of a Barbados in which the humble and the meek have to content themselves with the crumbs that fall from the tables of the mighty in their seats. We have stood and fought for a fair deal for our youth, upon whom the future of Barbados depends.”

Promoting the mantra that Barbados is more than an economy, it is a society, the Prime Minister said the DLP has fought for a brand of development that goes beyond dry lifeless concepts, and touches and enhances the quality of people’s lives. That development, he indicated, is about equipping the nation with the capacity and flexibility to respond to the varied dreams and aspirations of its people.

“It is not just the gross domestic product that matters. Of equal importance, is gross domestic faith, gross domestic hope, gross domestic happiness, gross domestic fairness, gross domestic stability, and gross domestic comfort,” he stated.

With that in mind, PM Stuart drew reference to the election charge given by Party Leader Errol Barrow in 1985, which he contended had not lost its freshness, and issued it again:

“We have no space on board this shuttle for people who are looking for social status or economic benefit. The money is on the other side. The sacrifices are on our side. No candidate for the DLP is to consider that he is taking a shot at being an MP like it is some kind of ‘Lucky Dip’ or ‘Let’s Go to the Races Sweep’. We shall have to evaluate our performances day by day and week by week. Those who are weary, those who are languid, should go to the Lord and be at rest. There will be no rest for the valiant. No turning back. No time for self-doubt, no time for self-pity. No time for mistakes.”
(JRT)