With the ban on single-use plastics, Barbados is expected to save millions of dollars currently being spent on importing these products.

So says Minister of Maritime Affairs and the Blue Economy, Kirk Humphrey. He was speaking during the debate on the Control of Disposable Plastics Bill in the Lower House yesterday morning.

“The global amount of plastic bags for packaging used is 78 million tonnes, some say it is more, $198 billion a year industry; of that, less than five per cent [is] recycled. So you’re talking about 188 billion of it that ends up in the ocean, the landfill [and] the gutters; Sir, it is a serious, serious problem. And we calculate that in Barbados, Sir, single plastics in packaging are about a $5 million value, based on what comes into the country. And if we were able to reuse some of these plastics, we would save a significant amount of money,” the Maritime Affairs and the Blue Economy Minister stated.

With that in mind, Minister Humphrey said that while the ban on plastic bags does not come into effect until January 1, 2020, he believes that every Barbadian needs to get hold of at least two reusable shopping bags to take with them to the supermarket. Humphrey said by their calculations, based on petro-based plastic bags alone, they anticipate to save almost $6 million in the first year.

“Maybe Massy would be kind enough to join in this cause, maybe the Government, but they start out with one or two bags, so that every time they go to the supermarket, instead of having to buy the bag as is the case now for $1.99, you carry the bag that you were given. The initial cost maybe a few dollars … and you keep those bags for a year – the savings to the country would be phenomenal,” he said.

He made the point while suggesting that there is potential for Barbadians to develop “proper home-grown industries”, manufacturing organic or bio-based bags for use instead of the plastic bags. Humphrey noted that worldwide more than one trillion plastic bags are used annually, with the United States alone using 100 billion plastic bags, which he said equates to 12 million barrels of oil.

Speaking more to the ban on single-use plastics and the need to move in this direction, Humphrey quoted figures related to such imports which indicate that annually Barbados imports 150 000 pounds of single-use cups or some six million cups, some 140 000 pounds of straws and 90 million plastic bags every year, none of which he maintained are necessary. He further lamented that none of these items are being recycled and are instead ending up in the marine environment and causing harm to the marine life.

“I hope we get to the point where Barbados says this is the final straw,” he contended. (JRT)

“SEE this as an opportunity to transition away from that which you know in a short amount of time will no longer be viable.”

Minister in the Ministry of Finance, Ryan Straughn, offered this advice yesterday to manufacturers that would be most impacted upon when the ban on single-use plastic items comes into full effect.

Making a contribution to the Control of Disposable Plastics Bill 2019 debate in Parliament, he stated that while some manufacturers were concerned about how their profit margin will be impacted, “the reality is that the world is moving in this direction and so therefore, it makes no sense trying to maintain something in an environment where you are pretty much swimming upstream”.

“There are opportunities for manufacturers right now, not only within Barbados, but to the extent that more countries around the world will be moving away from plastic bags; it does not make sense saying that you need to be protected. You need to get out in front of this, lead the transition, engage not just Barbadians here, but whoever you export to and say, ‘This is where we are taking the supplies of these products,’ such that you are not left behind because you are trying to maintain your specific profit margin,” he stated.

“If we do not start to accelerate the way we do things in this space, those millions of dollars that we spend currently importing these bags, the very jobs that we identified under the four manufacturers in this case will be under threat,” he later added, asserting that the thought processes of the manufacturers must be re-engineered.

The MP for Christ Church East-Central also highlighted the need for the youth to be leading the charge in protecting the environment.

“Youth must be re-energised to take this matter much more seriously than we have taken it before. Time is critical. The sooner we can get these reforms through, the sooner we can get these people acclimatised to the change, which is critical because we now have to embark on a process where for those Barbadians and those citizens of the world who are yet unborn, we must provide an environment that does not harm them in the future.” (JMB)

Very soon, persons who import petro-based single-use plastics or distribute, offer for sale or use such plastics, if caught, will face a huge fine and/or imprisonment for those acts.

Word of this has come from Minister of Maritime Affairs and the Blue Economy, Kirk Humphrey. He made the comments while piloting the debate of Control of Disposable Plastics Bill, which is intended to ban the use of single-use plastics made from petroleum. He explained that if a person is found guilty, they could be fined $50 000 and/or face imprisonment for one year. The Minister added that where that person continues to operate in contravention of the legislation, even after a conviction is obtained, they would be fined $1 000 for each day or part thereof during which the offence continues.

“From April 1 no person shall import single use plastic containers or single use cutlery as defined… With effect from the first day of July 2019, no person shall distribute, offer for sale, sell or use single use plastic containers or single use cutlery,” he stated.

His remarks came as he explained that while April 1 was the date originally identified as when the ban would take effect, Government has decided that to extend the time to allow persons with such plastics in their inventory, in particular vendors, to get rid of that stock.

“The vendors in some ways felt left out of the conversation and that is why we are having a meeting with them next week. The vendors also said that in dealing sometimes with some of the suppliers, they did not have the right information and they felt that they could sell Styrofoam after the date, and so they bought extra. Now I could not sleep comfortably knowing that somebody who is out there trying to feed their children and genuinely bought something that they thought was a deal, is now stuck on them. That is the conversation that the Prime Minister and I had, that is the conversation I had with my colleagues and as a Government we determined that July 1st therefore would be the best date,” he stated.

In that vein, he is advising any vendors who are purchasing single use plastics or Styrofoam during that period, to do so on a day to day or week by week basis, so that when July 1 comes, they do not find themselves stuck with a considerable amount of stock. He made the point, while alluding that there would be no further extension on the ban.

Minister Humphrey further told the Lower House that after July 1, anyone seeking to import, sell or use single use plastic containers or single use plastic cutlery labelled or marketed as environmentally sustainable, will have to apply for and obtain a licence to do so. That licence, which he said will cost persons $25, is intended to ensure that the importers are bringing in products that are in compliance with the law and that they are not attempting to trick the authorities.

With that in mind, he explained that there are some products that are not subject to the ban on importation or the ban on use. That list, he explained is not exhaustive and can be expanded as needed. Among those products he said are garbage bags, plastic bags or polystyrene used for pharmaceutical or medical dispensing purposes, plastic bags or plastic wrap used for the storing of agricultural products and perishables, plastic bags manufactured here for the export market, plastic straws attached to Tetra Pak boxes and polystyrene trays used to package fresh meat. (JRT)

Polymath is engaging young minds as it seeks out the next generation of software developers.

The International Business Company (IBC) based in Barbados is the global leader in software solutions that enable assets to be digitised, distributed, fractionally owned, and ultimately liquidated.

On Friday night, six past and present students of The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus who successfully completed an extensive 12-week workshop offered by the IBC were presented with Certificates of Achievement having demonstrated competence in using ReactJS and Solidity to build decentralised apps.

“Polymath is seeking to hire more local talent, but one of the challenges we face, is that there is not that much local talent that has the expertise and knowledge that we require on a day-to-day basis,” said Shannon Clarke, Software Developer at Polymath during the awards ceremony held at the 3Ws Pavilion, Cave Hill Campus.

The workshop, which got underway in November, 2018 focused on basic programming with HTML, CSS and JavaScript to build basic web applications, followed by building smart contracts on the blockchain.

“We started with 25 participants and six were successful having completed all exercises which included building a web application and demonstrating its use within a period of four hours. It was very challenging, but they pulled it off”.

Clarke explained that the certificate is Polymath’s method of verifying that the young men and women have demonstrated their working knowledge of these technologies, however he pointed out “It is unfortunately not an official certification backed by The UWI or any official examining body.”

“That is what we are aiming for in the coming months working directly with UWI, so that not only this certificate but future certifications that we issue, in partnership with the university would indeed be properly backed and then students can take it anywhere in the world,” he said.

“However, Polymath as a global leader in securities tokens would indeed back this certificate if these students then wanted to apply for a job at Google or any other blockchain company,” he added.

Congratulating the participants, Director of Polymath, Jeremy Stephen expressed, “We do have a lot of talented youngsters coming out of UWI that might not have had the experience before to operate at a top level”.

“Having the experience or at least the chance to tackle world leading technologies very much in their nascent stages is really impressive and says a lot about what Barbados has done; what The University of the West Indies has done in preparing students for this new world ahead.”

Barbados’ economic prospects received a resounding vote of confidence from Sagicor with commencement of work on The Estates at St. George, an adult wellness and amenity-driven community with continuing care facilities.

With the theme, “Live Where You Love”, The Estates is the first community of its kind in Barbados and the Caribbean, placing Sagicor on the leading edge of investment in services specially designed for the island’s adult population.

With an investment of over $170 million Barbados dollars, The Estates is expected to earn foreign exchange for Barbados and generate employment, first in construction and general supply services, followed by opportunities in the health and wellness sector, with a focus on catered care and active lifestyle amenities.

Edward Clarke, Executive Vice President & General Manager of Sagicor Life Inc. in Barbados while speaking at The Estates at St. George, Boarded Hall, he indicated, “following infrastructure work, construction of the first phase will commence in the first quarter of 2020, and that there are plans to hand over keys to the proud owners before the end of the following year.

“Sagicor is very pleased to be the promoter of The Estates at St. George, which we see as very timely, firstly because of the contribution it will make towards our ongoing economic transformation and recovery initiatives, and secondly as it continues Sagicor’s tradition of championing health and investment aimed at improving the lives of people in the communities where we operate,” he continued.

Stephen McNamara, Sagicor Group Chairman added, “This BDS$170 million investment reflects Sagicor’s continued commitment to Barbados and the wider Caribbean. The Estates at St. George will be presented with an array of lifestyle operations, services and amenities to their interest and abilities in a secure environment. When complete this project will make a direct contribution to the economy from the generation of net foreign exchange earnings through direct investment. It will also generate investment not only in welfare, but in construction, tourism and in the general services and supply sectors.

Essential to the operation of this facility is the requirement of trained medical specialists and care givers. In an effort to cultivate our practitioners from right here in Barbados and the region, we aim to explore a partnership that will see us at Sagicor, and managers of the facility Origin Inc. in Canada, partnering with the Barbados Community College, to upgrade their existing training curricula to generate a stream of trained caregivers. Whilst some of these graduates will be absorbed into the adult care services segment of the Barbados service sector, some of them will have the opportunity to be employed at “The Estates at St. George”. This investment also improves the very fabric of our nation through the creation of educational and employment opportunities,” he added.

McNamara continued, “Opportunities also abound for the country to gain immediate tax revenues through job creation. Furthermore, we will create long-term investment instruments in both local and foreign investors. We will seek to engage the Barbadian and Caribbean diaspora with this attractive investment opportunity. In short, the possibilities and the advantages are boundless. It is not only about waiting to see how the country will improve or what initiatives the government will introduce, but as a corporate leader, to stimulate the economic activity and
development that we wish to see, taking bold steps to do so and building up a Caribbean of which we can be proud.

We see the potential of the region and we not only support it but seek to enable it. This project therefore illustrates our confidence and commitment to Barbados and the wider Caribbean, and we commit to the pursuit of opportunities where we can contribute to establishing the region as a force to be reckoned with,” (NB)

OUTSPOKEN Opposition Senator Caswell Franklyn is calling for the exact number of civil servants that were axed in government’s retrenchment exercise and has criticised the way Government severance has been calculated.

Speaking in the Upper Chamber yesterday afternoon on the Appropriation Bill 2019, he said: “You gave them a payment of something like severance pay if you have between two and nine years. If you have ten years or more you are now pensionable. But because you are pensionable, you are not entitled to a severance pay.

“And they were saying to you, that you will have to wait until you reach 60, but to my certain knowledge, one of those fellows from the Drainage … he was working from the time he was 18, and accumulated ten years, he is now 28. And government said to him, you have to wait until you reach 60 for any compensation.

“What is going to be painful is when he gets his pension at 60 it is going to be based on the salary that he was getting when he was 28. How can a government that professes to care do that to its own citizens?”

He charged that government is exploiting a loophole that was created with the Winton Campbell case of 2009.
“Where the Court of Appeal, without understanding what went down in this House, said that Campbell was not entitled to a pension, but because he’s getting it he can continue to get it, but nobody after him will get the pension until they reach retirement age. That was never what the law intended. And that was never the practice,” Franklyn opined.

“Public officers were supposed to be permanent people, so there was no anticipation that they would have been made redundant or need severance. So government never provided for them through National Insurance like other people in the private sector because it was never anticipated that they were going to be sent home.
“And the law required that if you were in receipt of your pension and the government offered you the job and you didn’t take it, if you are below pension age and you didn’t take the job, you would lose your pension until you reach 60.

“Now Sir, that cannot be compatible with what the government is saying. That you have to wait until 60, because in one instance it is saying if you are getting the pension before you are 60 and we offer you a job and you don’t take it, then you will lose your pension. But how could you be getting it before you reach 60 when the government interprets the law and saying you can’t get it before you reach 60. So something is wrong with that logic,” he charged.

He also lambasted the move by one of the unions to propose to the government that they will bring the gratuity forward so that some people can get it early.

“If you pay me my gratuity, that means you start my pension, because gratuity is one-quarter of my pension multiplied by 12. The reason for that … back in 1947 when the actuaries worked out the average fellow lived to 67.5 years. So when you retire at 55, they used to give you that lump sum gratuity of 12.5 years and then get the reduced pension which is the three-quarters that left in monthly increments.

“Let’s say we have two people working in the public service, one on contract and one working as a normal civil servant entitled to a pension. The guy who is working on contract gets 20 per cent more than the person who is doing the similar job, same post. Because that 20 per cent is supposed to fund your pension. It is not the person’s fault that the government didn’t allocate it and have to find it out of current revenue, because that money was a deferred earning.

“So what government is doing now is taking your money, and compensating you with it. You can’t get any worse than that. In the private sector if you have a pension plan and the company decides we are going to send home some people, you get a severance payment, but your pension remains intact. They don’t take that pension and compensate you like what the government is doing. How can Government be treating people worse than the private sector and paying you with your own money?” he queried.

The fact that some students choose not to attempt to write some of their CSEC and CAPE examinations, once entered, is an area of concern and Principal of the Combermere School, Vincent Fergusson, believes that this is a waste of taxpayers’ money.

Fergusson expressed this concern as he gave a detailed report of the CSEC results for the period of 2017-2018, during the institution’s annual Speech Day and Prize-Giving Ceremony, which took place in the school’s hall yesterday morning.

His records showed that from the 1 354 exams submitted for the period of 2018, 84 per cent showed registered passes, while 87 entries were not attempted.

He noted that while this figure was way down from the 147 recorded in the 2017, this situation needed to be addressed.

“This is a cost to the taxpayers of Barbados to the tune of $11 000, where we enter students to write exams and the students just don’t attend. Can we afford to be spending $11 000 like that?” he asked.

“We must get students to write all exams once they are entered.”

The Principal believes that the responsibility does not rest solely on the shoulders of the teachers, but that parents need to make an extra effort towards encouraging their children and making sure they are prepared for exams.

“There must be a double, triple, quadruple effort to get students to understand that the teacher has made a professional judgement and that judgement is that you are competent enough to sit the exam and write the exams and yet the child does not even show up. This must be addressed,” he said.

The situation also seemed to be apparent in the issue of the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE), as for the year 2018, 24 students entered to take part in the exams did not show up. It was worthy to note however, that this number was down from the 56 recorded in 2017.

He went on to note that although this was an issue, there was also evidence that showed commendable improvement year by year by the students, as the number of students passing CSEC and CAPE examinations with either a Grade 1, 2 or 3, was increasing.

Put down the guns.

That’s the appeal from Senator Reverend John Rogers to those persons in our society who are turning to weapons to resolve conflict.

The independent senator was speaking in the Upper House on Wednesday afternoon during the second day of debate on the 2019 Appropriation Bill, as he focused his attention on the spate of crime and violence being seen in Barbados, and raised concern about the prevalence of guns in this country.

“We see the young perpetrators, but who are the people putting these things into their hands. It is true that persons would say they have never seen a gun shoot itself, but if we have a system where our young people have not received the kind of guidance and the kind of nurturing that is necessary to help them to understand their place in this society; if we have drifted from the course that made this nation great, what we may well be seeing is that those at the lower level of the society, who do not yet have the ability to mask it, are just playing out the attitudes that the whole society has,” he said.

Reverend Rogers, while explaining that what is happening in our society today is nothing new, as societies are known to go adrift, gave the assurance that all is not lost and there is hope.

“Put down the guns, put down the weapons and come let us reason together. Come let us reason together, come let us get back on course. I really pray, Sir, that as we
experience the economic development that we are seeking in this country, running alongside that can be the social, philosophical and cultural development that is necessary to make sense of that economic growth,” he said.

Earlier, he had made the point that there is more to national development than economic viability, and that there are socio-cultural and philosophical dimensions to national development which must be in sync with economic development, if we are to make the best of the opportunities available to us. To that end, he said if Barbados is to capitalise on the economic recovery that is envisaged, then the country must get back on course socially, culturally and philosophically.

It is with that in mind, that he cautioned Government to be careful about touting its success too early. He made the point while noting that as a small open economy, Barbados is vulnerable to the vagaries of the international economy, including a slowdown in global growth, Brexit, rising oil prices and increasing political instability next door in Venezuela, which could also result in a boost in oil prices.

“I’ve highlighted that to make the point – do not find yourselves having a George W. Bush moment on the USS Abraham Lincoln by declaring mission accomplished, only to find that a decade later it is in a worse state. We must be mindful that we live in a region known for travel advisories and airport downgrades when we do not agree with certain groups on international policies. And at this time in the 21st century, our desire to get back on course, to reconnect ourselves to the social, philosophical and cultural underpinnings that made this nation great, the things that lead to self-actualisation can be construed as hostile, in a world where international bullying has become commonplace,” the senator stated.

Drawing on Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley’s words, he too is urging Barbadians to “stay the course”. He admitted that it will be tough, but it is not impossible. He made the point while also urging Barbadians to get “back on course” and realign with the principles that made us stand out as a “shining beacon” and “one of the greatest democracies on earth”. (JRT)

BARBADOS and the Caribbean should not expect any benefits flowing their way once the UK leaves the European Union.

Former Prime Minister, Professor Owen Arthur said so on Tuesday nght in a lecture at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill.

The deadline for the UK leaving the EU was originally set for March 31. However, with a lot of uncertainties surrounding the exit, the departure has been delayed by three months.

The lecture was titled, “Brexit and and the New Caribbean Trade Agenda”. It was sponsored by the Shridath Ramphal Centre (SRC) and took place at the Sagicor Cave Hill School of Business.

Professor Arthur also drew on how the Caribbean has performed in terms of trade with both the UK and the EU, especially following the completion of the Economic Partnership Agreement.

Arthur, who is Professor of Practice at the UWI, said that the UK thinks that having quit the EU it will be able to pursue independent and commercial ties that will cause it to forge new relationships with powerful economies in a way that is not now possible under its current membership with Europe.

If that is the logic behind Brexit, the Professor stated then that the Caribbean will hardly occupy any special place on the UK’s trade agenda radar once it leaves the EU.

He suggested that after Brexit the Caribbean should look to amend the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) clause that now exists in the CARIFORUM Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with Europe.

Professor Arthur, who was Barbados’ Prime Minister when the EPA was concluded in December 2007, explained that the EU is to grant African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries any more favourable treatment than that region grants to third parties.

However, the ACP will have only to extend to the EU any more favourable treatment given to a major trading partner in a free trade agreement.

Arthur also said that since the conclusion of the EPA, exports from Barbados Caribbean countries to both the UK and the EU have declined.

He told the audience that the value of UK imports from Barbados and Caribbean has fallen from 662 million pound sterling in 2008 to 449 million pounds in 2017. As for trade with the Europe, the EU exports to the Caribbean have increased from 1.5 billion euros in 2008 to 1.6 billion in 2017.

He said that only the Dominican Republic has taken advantage of the generous market access with Europe, unlike the rest of this region.

He said that the declining export performance has to do with the fact that high volumes of traditional exports of sugar and bananas which dominated that trade, have not been replaced by new manufacuturing exports nor high value added commodities. Compounding this, Professor Arthur went on, “is that Tourism, the region’s biggest service sector does not appear to have realised any significant bounty from the EPA as well".

He pointed out that from available evidence, at least eight countries have recorded a decline in tourism exports trade with the UK.

THE United Progressive Party (UPP) has a new leader.

On Wednesday Everton “Heru” Holligan was elected to serve as chairman of the political party which was officially started back in 2016.

This comes after the recent surprising announcement that founder of the party, Lynette Eastman, would not be seeking to be re-elected for the 2019-2020 term. She however now takes over the role of Vice Chairman.

Other members of the UPP executive include Wayne Griffith who has been named General Secretary; and Raquel Gilkes will serve as Assistant General Secretary. Chief Financial Officer will be Ambrose Grosvenor; Assistant Chief Financial Officer is Edison Binue. Ria Riley is the UPP’s Public Relations Officer.

The holistic health consultant and entrepreneur, who unsuccessfully ran on the St. George North ticket during the last elections, said he is extremely honoured to be given the opportunity to serve the UPP as the chairman and to help carry out the party's mandate.

Holligan said that one of his goals is to attract more people to the party, particularly those in a younger demographic.

“The goal is to create a new way of practising politics, where it is less antagonistic, less ego-centred and more people-centred and more directed to a prosperous vision for us all on the island,” he said.
(JH)

Founder of the Barbados Entrepreneurship Foundation (BEF), Keith Miller, wants to see its $20 Challenge become part of this island’s educational curriculum.

Saying the initiative, which is in its eighth year, has proven successful in showing young people how to become enterprising individuals and entrepreneurs, he said youth could benefit greatly if this was included within the course of study at primary, secondary and tertiary schools.

He noted that changing the mindset of education in this country is critical, especially since the current system of testing on academic performance is only proving effective in splitting students into two groups – “successes and failures”.

“Entrepreneurship is open to everybody and it is not based on academic performance. It is based on how you do in your job, so it is open to all; everybody has the opportunity to be an entrepreneur,” Miller said.

“We are basically filling a void in the education system because the normal school curriculum, the way it is structured, it is not possible to offer a hands-on experiential education where people experience what you are trying to teach them,” he added, saying that the BEF $20 Challenge was ready to fill that void.

“Tell me, I forget. Show me, I remember. Involve me, I understand,” Miller asserted.

He therefore appealed to government to give the initiative due consideration when planning for the island’s youth going forward, noting that many of the past participants have gone on to build businesses of their own.

“The $20 Challenge was conceptualised as a way to inspire a new generation of enterprising individuals who can think for themselves and be resourceful,” Miller said.
He made the remarks during the recent awards ceremony for the competition’s latest cohort, held at the Errol Barrow Centre for Creative Imagination of the University of the West Indies. (JMB)

The highly anticipated “Accelerate 20/20” has been officially launched and there is an air of excitement about the prospects of this new initiative by the Barbados Investment & Development Corporation (BIDC).

Collaboration across public and private sector agencies, business development, creativity and innovation, increased export earnings and import replacement are the hallmarks of BIDC’s new programme, which was launched on Wednesday at Pelican Centre. The programme runs until the end of 2020.

Speaking at the launch, BIDC’s CEO, Sonja Trotman stated, “There is a need to accelerate the growth of new, high potential areas for enterprise. We must increase the number of exporters and enhance the capacity of existing exporters to significantly increase their export earnings. Increased exports and import replacement earns and saves foreign exchange for Barbados. High growth exporting and import replacement companies stimulate the economy through inflows of investment and employment.

“Accelerate 20/20 was conceptualised as a means to directly achieve one of the critical goals in the Corporation’s three-year strategic plan. This speaks specifically to the earning and/or saving of foreign exchange through increased exports and import replacement. The urgency of the times demands a targeted approach to identify such companies, products or ideas with the potential for high value returns. We are making it our mission to ensure that such companies are provided with the relevant assistance which they may require to enable to achieve new thresholds. I am delighted to lead team BIDC on this mission that is at the core of Accelerate 20/20,” Trotman explained.

She added, “We at the BIDC are excited because this is an opportunity to introduce a new initiative geared towards equipping and strengthening Barbadian companies with the critical tools and resources that would allow them to reach new targets and milestones and remain competitive both at home and abroad. We are especially excited because of the collaborative nature of this venture as we have garnered support from our stakeholders and counterparts who share a similar vision to see a healthy and prosperous industrial sector and, by extension, a healthy and prosperous Barbados.

“The BIDC’s role as the industrial development arm of government has grown through a metamorphosis over sixty plus years. While the BIDC of yesteryear is no less important, the BIDC of 2019 is charged with the unique and extraordinary task of building bold, innovative, dynamic and creative enterprises. Our tagline – ‘Unleashing Ideas, Inspiring Enterprise’ – also speaks to our renewed vision for the industrial sector of Barbados as we have realised that creativity, innovation, targeted research and product development are the new pillars of growth and development for the industrial sector in a small, open economy like Barbados. The future for the industry is bright...” she remarked.

BIDC Director Fern Lewis added, “Accelerate 20/20 prioritises the needs of enterprises that can have the greatest impact on the growth of Barbados’ economy. Targeted assistance is focused on [accelerating] companies to significantly expand or improve their operations and revenue base.”
(NB)

The National HIV/AIDS Commission will be increasing its footprint during the upcoming Crop Over Festival this year.

In her opening remarks, Permanent Secretary of Ministry of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs, Gabrielle Springer mentioned this at the Launch of Adult Knowledge, Attitudes, Beliefs and Sexual Practice (KABP) Report on Wednesday.

“I dare say that the Crop Over period is one where greater risks are liable to be taken hence why equal and sustained interventions are necessary,” said Springer.

Springer added that the Commission will continue to play an integral role in ensuring persons of all ages are safe during this period including those identified in the 2016/2017 (KABP) report. The Permanent Secretary noted that she is keen to see what trends will be gathered during that time.

Sexual activity and substance abuse
One trend which was revealed in the 2016/2017 report presented by Assistant Director of the National HIV/AIDS Commission, Nicole Drakes is an increasing statistic of substance abuse and people having sex. Drakes explained that the survey sought to gather information on sexual behaviour under the influence of alcohol, prescription drugs or illegal drugs which can impair a person’s judgment (raising the risk of unprotected sex).

In all categories, Drakes noted there was an increase in risky behaviour with 38 per cent using alcohol while engaging in sex in a 2013/2014 survey and 41.7 per cent in 2016/2017. There was a slight increase as well in the use of nonprescription drugs and persons using both. She said there is a need to look at programming efforts for drug use and HIV/AIDS prevention.

A number of senior students from six schools across Barbados have upgraded their skills in leadership and decision making, thanks to Supreme Counselling for Personal Development.

CEO Shawn Clarke, recently held a “Leadership and Decision Making” seminar for the students who are involved in Supreme Counselling’s programme across local secondary schools, at the Accra Beach Hotel. Speaking with The Barbados Advocate during a break from the programme, he explained why his charitable organisation saw the need for such a seminar.

“Usually, when the children reach fourth form, they go into a different aspect of the programme called “Unlocking Your Future”. From first to third form, they do more self-development topics like Anger Management, Conflict Resolution and so on. On reaching fourth form, we try to take them in another direction, where we concentrate a lot on business, but we still match that with Social and Emotional Intelligence and Relationship Skills, because we believe it is very important for our students to be able to be in touch with their emotions and so on,” he noted.

“In addition to those two modules, then we offer two seminars. One seminar will be like the one happening today on Leadership and Decision Making and the second one on Business Etiquette, because we feel that these are things that young people need to know. Young people need to know how to be leaders. Even if you are not a prefect, even if you don’t become your own manager, your own boss, you still need to have the qualities of a leader, that will inform the decisions that you make, so that any time you are tossed into a leadership position, no matter how big or small, it could be leadership of the basketball team, leadership at church, a little community activity, there are certain essential qualities that you need to know, that you need to be able to exhibit and display,” he stressed.

“So we are looking at leadership and why we have linked that with decision making, is that leaders need to be able to make effective decisions. So we at Supreme Counselling believe that both go hand in hand. You cannot have a seminar on leadership and not match it with decision making, which is one of the qualities of a good leader,” Supreme’s CEO stated.

He further commented, “So that is what the seminar is about. We have all six of our schools represented, which are Frederick Smith, Lester Vaughan, Princess Margaret, Parkinson, St. George Secondary and Grantley Adam. So we have a wide cross-section of all of our young people here today and honestly, I am impressed with the turn out”.

Students participating in the seminar meanwhile noted that they thoroughly enjoyed the seminar, especially the activities designed to showcase the essential leadership qualities any good leader should have. They noted that the information proved useful, since they could improve themselves either in the school environment or as they embark on various career paths, after leaving school. (RSM)

With $9 billion in domestic savings earning little interest, Government is seeking to see how best those savings can be mobilised to spur on domestic investment and grow business in this country.

That’s according to Minister in the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Investment, Marsha Caddle. While delivering the keynote address at the Business Forum hosted by the Barbados Coalition of Service Industries, dubbed ‘Services Unplugged: Advancing a World Class Economy’ at the Savannah Hotel yesterday morning, she said Government is pursuing a number of initiatives to mobilise those savings and support the spread of ownership of assets to ordinary Barbadians, in a programme of economic enfranchisement.

“The Government will facilitate the creation of a National Unit Trust, modelled on the unit trust that some of you may be aware of in Trinidad and Tobago, with professional investors investing in primarily local projects. Individuals and the credit unions are likely to be a significant investor in these unit trusts,” she said.

With that in mind, she said regulatory regimes to develop new types of investment funds, focused on small investors, will also be created. This, she said, includes digital platforms for crowdfunding and peer-to-peer lending. Through the former, she said small investors will invest equity in new projects, while in the latter small investors will lend collectively to borrowers.

“Unlike in the past when only banks were presented with investment opportunities and the people were asked to provide funding at 0.1 percent return, we will ensure that all Barbadians can participate as investors if they choose,” she said.

Caddle noted too that Government will support the development of a regulatory regime for green energy bonds, a new type of financial instrument which will allow those who cannot use renewable energy technologies themselves, to get renewable energy credits for investing in renewable energy projects. The Minister said they also want to encourage the development of innovative financial instruments linked to renewable energy by other entities, as she maintained that Barbados can become a global hub for solar power financial instruments.

Through another initiative, Minister Caddle said, the Financial Service Commission will in conjunction with the Barbados Stock Exchange, work to create an innovation and growth market for small or start-up companies with a capitalisation of greater than $200,000. She said in these cases, at least 30 percent of ownership will be available to investors. She insists that this is a “critical platform” that will enable local entrepreneurs to also tap into the $9 billion in savings, which are dormant in the banking system.

“The Government will [also] develop a programme for using the local stock market to spread ownership of Government assets through the sale of stakes in its businesses like the Hilton and Sam Lord’s to ordinary citizens,” she added. (JRT)

The rental of firearms in Barbados is very much a reality.

While inmates at Her Majesty’s Prisons Dodds said that the purchase of a gun could cost as much as $10 000, they also admitted that renting is another option.

That is according to research coming out of the Criminal Justice Research and Planning Unit (CJRPU), which looked at gun violence.

Director, Cheryl Willoughby shared the findings during The University of the West Indies (UWI) Cave Hill Campus – Office of Alumni Relations, Panel Discussion on “Youth, Crime & Violence in Barbados: Symptoms, Solutions and Strategies”, held recently at the 3Ws Pavilion.

“We would have learned from our research that guns are sold and rented in Barbados. You can go on any block and have the opportunity, if you so desire, to rent a gun at a fee. Inmates were very open and stated that they were willing to purchase a gun for as much as $10 000,” she revealed.

Willoughby said that CJRPU’s research has also identified that a number of the issues that the country faces as it relates to gun violence and murders are connected to warring factions among gangs.

Acknowledging the several views being expressed by Barbadians about why these murders are occurring, she however disclosed that research shows: “A lot of it is as a result of reprisals; persons not being able to negotiate as it relates to conflict among warring gangs and so they are resorting to violence, specifically gun violence in order to settle disputes.”

Furthermore, the Director pointed out that research across the globe suggests that when there is a situation where persons are resorting to street justice, it speaks to the inability of persons to trust the current criminal justice system to give them some form of justice; and there are not willing to wait any length of time for justice to be mended out.

“We all know that we have a situation in Barbados where it is taking quite sometime for cases to move throughout the system. And so if we look at the recommendations coming from my department five to six years ago, you would have recognised that we would have listed a number of recommendations to address the issue of delays which include, looking at or examining the speed at which matters are dealt with as well as having additional resources to deal with the systemic problems that we would have identified,” Willoughby indicated.

“So persons are resorting to this type of outcome based on the fact that they seem not to trust the authority; the system that currently exists.” (TL)

The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) has been gifted 2 500 diapers for use by new born babies in this section.

This donation was done by the Rotaract Club of Barbados West yesterday in the NICU Conference Room. Speaking to the media, President of the club, Nathifa Hoyte said the money used to purchase the items was acquired last year in August during the club’s fundraising event called, “Off The Clock: The Networking Event”.

“This is our second project donating towards the NICU because in 2017, we hosted a luncheon for the nurses. So this time around we wanted to raise some funds for the patients instead. At the event [in August], we raised about $2 400 and that afforded us to purchase 20 boxes of pampers on behalf of the Unit. So that is about 2500 individual pampers. Today [Friday], we are making the presentation; it is notable because it is our fifth chartered anniversary.”

Present to receive the donation was Senior Nursing Officer, Marita Harris, Senior Registered Nurse with the NICU, Mareta Jessamy and the QEH’s Administration Assistant, Debra Nurse.

Harris thanked the Rotaract Club of Barbados West for donating the diapers and for their support over the past two years. She described the donation as timely and explained how it will be used.

“In our challenges, you know some mothers cannot afford to buy pampers and we will be providing it from the hospital’s fund. We want to thank them very much for going beyond and looking after the babies with us. We are very grateful for the donation.” (MG)

Parents are being encouraged to have a more hands on approach and to get more involved in their children’s education.

The call came recently from Minister of Transport, Works and Maintenance, Dr. William Duguid as he delivered an address during an open house session at Inspire Academy, a privately-owned primary and preschool located at Astrid House, Halls Gap, Hastings, in his Christ Church West constituency.

“Most parents should look to get involved with their children’s education, because at the end of the day, the kids that do better, tend to be those where the parents get involved,” Minister Duguid commented.

“When I was at school, the majority or significant portion of my colleagues were teachers’ children and teachers’ children tend to do very, very well, because they tend to inculcate in their progeny, the work ethic, the ability to manage their time and to put things in place to make sure that they are doing what they have to do, to reach certain benchmarks throughout their education and that’s what you have to do,” he added.

“You have to play an active role in your child’s education and get them started from now, from four, from five, from six, to understand that there is a time for everything. There is a time for play, but there is also a time for work. There is a time to have fun, but there is a time to be serious and once you can get them started with that, and that way of doing things, it will stand them in good stead for the future,” Duguid maintained.

He meanwhile noted that he was “very impressed” with Inspire Academy, its offerings and programmes.

School Administrator Cassandra Mottley in speaking of Inspire Academy and what it offers, noted that the school currently caters to  children, ranging in age from18 months to six years old.

“The school was launched almost two years ago by a group of entrepreneurial young women who are also mothers, with a strong  interest in the wholesome development and overall wellbeing of children,” Mottley revealed.

“In conceptualising Inspire Academy, the motivation of the founders was to offer an alternative to parents locally and also expats who  are interested in having their children attend a school which has smaller classes, established educational programmes, an emphasis on  specialties like ballet, foreign languages – we offer both Mandarin and Spanish – healthy eating practices, safe clean facilities, music and a focus on student-centred learning, blended with some Montessori techniques,” she indicated. 

“With a motto of “Dream, Believe, Explore” Inspire Academy’s focus is on helping students not only to achieve a sound foundation for  later academic success, but also to acquire the critical “soft” skills that are complementary and contribute significantly to producing well- rounded children, who go on to be successful adults,” Mottley concluded. (RSM)

On Thursday, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) Paediatric Department received vital medical equipment from one of its long- standing supporters, The Canadian Women’s Club of Barbados.

In the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Conference Room at QEH, Chair of Community Services for the charity, Ann Smith along with Mary Cozier, Jessica Sears presented one Masimo Rad 8 Pulse oximeter and a Mobile GE Dinamap ProCare Carescape V100 vital signs monitor.
Smith explained that the charity has worked with the hospital for over twenty years and they will continue to do so as long as they can.

Head of the Paediatrics Department, Dr. Angela Jennings noted that the medical equipment cost around $18 000. She added that both machines are vital signs monitors and they assist with the monitoring of oxygen saturation and heart rate. The machines have a life span of ten to fifteen years.

Need for more equipment and nurses
Dr. Jennings said that there is a need for more monitors and incubators, the latter being the more expensive of the two. She noted that it is important that the Paediatric Department partner with the private sector and expressed her gratitude to the charity for its ongoing support.

In the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit or NICU where the vital signs monitor (V100) is being used, Dr. Jennings said that the area has 25-30 patients capacity with numbers fluctuating throughout the year.

In addition to a necessity for more machines, the Paediatrics Department revealed that there is a ”manpower issue” due to a shortage of nurses.

The Government will not be entertaining conversations regarding pushing back the date of their ‘No Plastics’ ban.

This comment was made by Minister of Maritime Affairs and the Blue Economy, Kirk Humphrey, during an interview with media yesterday afternoon, following a “No Plastic, No Problem” fair that was held at Sheraton Mall.

“I have heard manufacturers say that they needed more time, but I believe, to be truthful with you, that April 1st was fair. I believe that when we started this conversation in September, when I spoke to the importers and they said to me they needed six months, and we gave them until April 1st, I believe that was fair. I believe that when we spoke to persons who made plastic bags and they said they needed time to retrofit their factories and we gave them an additional year to do so, I believe that was fair,” he said.

“There are going to be people who suggest every day that the Minister or the Ministry or Government should push back the date, there is always going to be somebody that wants us to push back the goalpost, but a country has to stand for something, and I am hopeful that Barbadians would stand for us as we stand together.”

The Minister stressed that importation of plastics would still be banned from April 1st 2019, however, recognising that persons would still have stock that was ordered before, they had until July 1st to get rid of the material, as they would not be able to use, or sell retail or wholesale, polystyrene or single use plastics.

The Minister went on to note that he believed that the hefty fines to be imposed was also fair, adding that the $50 000 fine to be imposed was the maximum.

“The fine as it remains is $50 000, not that everybody will be charged $50 000, it will be up to $50 000, depending on the nature of the sin…,” he said.

However, he hoped that it would not get to that point, as it was his wish for persons to willingly get on board and work with Government as they work to rid Barbados of plastics.