Caribbean-based com-panies will soon have an alternative gateway to the continent at a time when Britain takes steps toward its exit from the European Union (EU).

This as the newly founded Caribbean Chamber of Commerce in Europe (CCCE) is expected to be opening its doors soon with the aim of promoting trade and commerce between the wider Caribbean and the United Kingdom/Europe and attracting European investment to strengthen the Caribbean economy.

The Fourth CARIFORUM-EU Business Forum, held in Frankfurt, Germany last September, identified the need for an independent, non-politically aligned, private sector body to provide market information and logistical support for business development in Europe.

Anthony Bradshaw, Officer-in-Charge of the Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export), said “it will strengthen business networks and foster a closer trade and investment relationship between the Caribbean and the EU.”

With the UK’s departure from the EU, the new chamber in Brussels offers an alternative springboard to London, in particular for Caribbean Community (CARICOM)-based ventures, into a more diverse European market.

In the build-up to its official launch, the Chamber is currently reaching out to other regional and trade organizations and is planning to work with major public and private stakeholders on both sides of the Atlantic, who can build the partnerships needed to foster Euro-Caribbean trade and commerce.

The multilateral, nonprofit, business organisation, will be joining the cluster of chambers of commerce based at Brussels Enterprises Commerce and Industry (BECI), which will expand the scope of its networks, while widening its base, enabling it to operate effectively from the capital of the EU.

Government has plans to breathe new life into the Deacons Development Centre.

Minister of Education, Technological and Vocational Training, Santia Bradshaw confirmed that a sum of money is being allocated for renovations of the building to enable the Barbados Vocational Training Board (BVTB) to use it as an additional training location.

She was at the time providing an update on the Deacons Farm, St. Michael facility in response to a question posed by Member of Parliament for the St. Michael North West constituency, Neil Rowe during the Appropriation (Amendment) Bill, 2020 on Monday evening.

“We have been able to provide some funds in the estimate to be able to start some renovations at that facility because we want to acquire the premises for the Barbados Vocational Training Board to be able to utilise as a skills training facility,” she indicated.

“It has been dormant for some time and we were able to reach an arrangement with the Ministry of Housing as well as the Urban Development for the use of that facility. It will allow for us to start to develop out the International Cuisine programme at the Barbados Vocational Training Board and to expand the programmes in that area which for us is a very significant catchment in the Deacons area. But, it will allow for persons certainly who are wishing to pursue Level 3, to be able to continue to obtain their certification.”

Minister Bradshaw also revealed plans to offer some daytime as well as evening courses at the said facility.

“So, the funds that have been budgeted will basically allow for us to be able to buildout that facility in short order, in order to start the renovations that are necessary to get that back on track for the next school year,” she added.

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Dale Marshall has queried the length of time it takes for the Labour Department to refer cases to the Employment Rights Tribunal after a process of conciliation fails, in accordance with the law and in the interest of dispensing justice to the parties involved.

The Attorney General’s query came during ongoing debate for the Appropriation (Amendment) Bill, 2020 this week and both Chief Labour Officer, Claudette Hope-Greenidge and Minister of Labour and Social Partnership Relations, Colin Jordan sought to address the query.

Pointing out that the Employment Rights Act notes that conciliation must take place within a specified time frame after complaints are laid – 42 days to be exact, the AG however pointed out that in some cases, the Labour Department has been attempting to do conciliation for five years.

“I can’t see any point in doing a conciliation for five years after and I am therefore wondering whether the personnel who are responsible for this conciliation mechanism have been appropriately trained and have the necessary skill set to apply to such a sensitive and important area,” Marshall stated.

Hope-Greenidge however pointed out that much of the training or preparedness for those labour officers is on the job training, as locally, there is not available a targeted or purpose built conciliation training programme. She did acknowledged however that the Labour Department has engaged with the International Labour Organisation in the past and most recently during the latter half of 2019, put on a special one week training programme for staff members, as well as engaged a private sector entity in this area as well. She however stressed that of the nine labour officers the Department has, approximately half can be categorised as relatively new.

When pressed, she revealed that between April 2019 to September 2019, the Labour Department received approximately 3 209 complaints and of those, 65 disputes were conciliated and a further 78 were referred to the Employment Rights Tribunal.

Minister Jordan meanwhile explained that one of the reasons why the Labour Department continues after the number of recommended days to attempt conciliation, is to continue in its effort to reach a resolution, so as not to place “an inordinate burden on the Employment Rights Tribunal” and the limited labour officers.

Stressing that he remains concerned about “the back log and the delays in conciliations”, Marshall however maintained his call for speedier referral of cases to the Employment Rights Tribunal, whilst calling attention to the requirements as outlined in the law.

“I think that the whole point about the Employments Rights Tribunal is to move things through swiftly and I think that was its appeal, over going through a court process, with its lengthy delays and I am just a little bit concerned that your approach to dealing with it, as well meaning, as good intentioned as it is, may really not be helping to serve the purpose that it should be,” he said.

“Under the statute, if you are not able to complete that conciliation within 42 days, the Chief Labour Officer must send the matter to the Tribunal,” he maintained.

Noting the constraints with space limitations, the lack of the ability of Tribunals to have hearings simultaneously and the work demands of Tribunal Chairs who have other responsibilities, Minister Jordan conceded that he may have to liaise with the AG and his office to have dedicated Tribunal Chairs who can devote the time needed to have justice served in a timely manner, even as some of the other limitations are looked into. (RSM)

Having mixed ability schools is an option the Education Ministry can consider as they press ahead with plans to abolish the Barbados Secondary Schools’ Entrance Examination (BSSEE).

This personal view was expressed by President of the Floddn Abingdon Alumni Association, Dr. Cheryl Weekes, while speaking to the media yesterday.

Weekes, who is the Deputy Principal of the Barbados Community College (BCC), was present with the executive members of the Association at the Barbados Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Secondary School to make a monetary donation to that educational institution. This presentation by the old scholars’ group was in support of the CVQ programme which “is new for the school”.

Using the Barbados SDA Secondary as an example, she said the school could be seen as a model for education on the island and be emulated. She explained it comprises students with mixed abilities where “those children who are strong academically can help those who are a little weaker so that everybody can leave this school being well qualified.

“It is my belief that this model of mixed ability school has worked, and it will continue to work. I am saying that perhaps it is something that can be looked at in terms of our education system going forward, where the stronger students are able to help the weaker students. So you may not be good academically, but you are a great musician, and this school has a legacy for excellent musicians. So when you come into the choir or the band or something else and you are working with students who are really performing, it encourages you to want to perform and do a little more. So we believe that the atmosphere that is set is one that one encourages and pulls out of the children what they did not even know that they had.”

Weekes also suggested that specialist schools could be considered “as well because if you have specialist schools it means that the Ministry can put the kind of infrastructure in place that supports that area. For example, if it is Tech-Voc kind of school then all of the equipment [and] the necessary training [can be] in place so that it becomes a school of excellence.”

Overall, Weekes noted that whatever is the new approach if the 11-Plus exam is abandoned, “there must be a system in place that determines where children will go and how it will affect their ability to perform…

“I think it is something that needs to be explored. Something that needs to be looked at in its totality. I wouldn’t say that abandoning it is bad, but what I would say is that whatever we go into
must be a system that allows for the fair distribution of students so that everyone can have the opportunity to achieve as those of us who have gone through the system have achieved.”

Our life’s challenges help us to build stamina, physical and emotional strength.

This was the message from speaker, Sister Margaret Blackman, who gave the sermon at the Whitepark Wesleyan Holiness Church on Ash Wednesday.
Under the theme of “Turn Around”, Blackman spoke about Jesus Christ who fasted for 40 days and 40 nights in the Judaean desert and being tempted by Satan and how He overcame the situation.

“If Jesus, himself was tested by the Devil, what about us? After his testing, after his time in the wilderness….he was able to declare boldly the Spirit of the Word,” said Blackman.

She explained that the Holy Spirit, which has led Jesus into and out of the wilderness, also commissioned Him to action or to work. Blackman said that God has commissioned his people to action. She added that it is the process of being challenged that builds a person’s character.

“The same thing that caused you to stumble yesterday should not cause you to stumble today,” said Blackman.

In Blackman’s sermon, the ministerial candidate also encouraged the congregation to embrace the future that Jesus Christ has for them. Using the story of Mary Magdalene, she urged Christians to take in Christ’s vision as he has a plan for them which will build a person’s strength.

Throughout the service, there were script readings by Deaconness Sonja James and Sister Ernesta Mcpherson and singing of the hymns, ”Forty Days and Forty Nights” and ”I Surrender All”.

Reverend Esther Willoughby of the Whitepark Wesleyan Holiness Church noted that Lent is a period of spiritual reflection. At the end of the Ash Wednesday Service, the reverend also highlighted that the event was its third year after members within the community requested the service.

Leader of the Opposition Bishop Joseph Atherley says it is important to instil in our youth a drive for entrepreneurship and to develop a cultural of entrepreneurship in this country.

His comments came on Tuesday evening during the debate on the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure 2020/21, as the budget of the Ministry of Youth and Community Empowerment was being discussed.

Bishop Atherley said it is vital that young people be taught that they do not have to become employees, but can in fact become employers. In that vein, the Opposition Leader said Barbados must have a new class of employers that are enduring, he made the point while noting that in the past, black entrepreneurs have been “fairly transient and non-enduring”. Reflecting on such, he asked for an update on the Youth Entrepreneurship Scheme (YES) and whether it is meetings its goals.

In response, Minister of Youth and Community Empowerment, Adrian Forde said that out of the 4 000 persons who leave school annually, 1460 have a burning desire to be entrepreneurs and to create their own market space. He added that the 200 persons who participated so far in the Building Blocks Programme were also exposed to a YES training module, getting insight into things such as accounts and marketing to assist them in sustaining their businesses.

Adding to his comments, Permanent Secretary Yolande Howard, speaking more on the work of YES, indicated that in the current financial year they have stimulated a number of new venture creations, assisted with the creation of around seven new businesses, expanded over five businesses, formalised over six businesses and have seen more than ten new jobs generated.

“We’ve had approximately 40 jobs retained by persons who are involved in entrepreneurial activities. We provided business counselling to over 115 new and existing clients. We’ve delivered business solutions to over 84 young budding entrepreneurs and a number of businesses, that number I don’t have, but a number of businesses have applied for technical assistance, including advertising, legal services, procurement of equipment [and] business development because they need assistance in that area,” the PS stated.

Howard said they have also assisted those persons in marketing their businesses in respect of programmes like BMEX, Girlfriends Expo and the expo that YES co-ordinates, which provides them with opportunities to let persons know what good and services they have to offer.

“One of the things I think we need to stress on, is while YES has been conducting a number of programmes with a very small staff, I may add, we recognise though that we do have to get back into the schools. There was a YES Juniors Programme that was being conducted under YES for a number of years, with decreasing budgets over the years there was not a very strong focus on YES Juniors, but we have decided that for the next financial year we are going back into the schools,” she revealed.

According to the PS, a number of schools have approached YES expressing a willingness to be involved in that programme. She said the aim will be to help students understand that there are various options for them to pursue.

Reflecting also on the Building Blocks Project, she said that while the first phase of the project focused on four communities, it is intended in the second phase to target eight communities. She said they are in the process of consulting with relevant partners to identified sites, hopefully owned by the State, that can be utilised and then help them identify the areas of business that they can get into and excel.

“A big part of the preparation for those persons to start those businesses, will be to have the Youth Entrepreneurship Scheme’s staff train them and help to develop them. We recognise that it just can’t be a one-off event, we have to work with them over a period of time to get them to that point where they can then be sustainable and be able to run their businesses on their own,” she added. (JRT)

One health advocate is calling for the government to step up and regulate the environment where children are being exposed to unhealthy foods, beverages and its advertising.

This is the view of Policy Advisor, Healthy Caribbean Coalition, Nicole Foster, who spoke to the Barbados Advocate recently.

Her comments were in response to a press release from the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Barbados (HSFB), which indicated that legislation in Chile has been effective in reducing consumers’ sugary-drink purchases and children’s exposure to unhealthy food marketing and advertising.

Foster added that children are being targeted in commercial marketing. However, she explained that in the South American country, foods with front-of-pack labels that are high in fat, salt and sugar cannot be sold in schools.

She also highlighted how the legislation addressed radio and television advertising of unhealthy foods and beverages, which target young audiences at specific times when they are more engaged in that media.

Foster outlined that the science is there which shows the effects of this particular marketing on children. Making reference to the work of Sir George Alleyne and his role on the World Health Organisation (WHO) Commission on ending childhood obesity, she noted the power and exposure being used to target children in commercial marketing.

She added that based on the tracking being conducted by Heart and Stroke Foundation of Barbados (HSFB), that the country is not in a good position as it relates to children being exposed to marketing of unhealthy foods and drinks.

“The level of exposure to marketing in our schools, in terms of access to the schools, whether it is through the calendars, through the pencils, through the sponsorship of school activities, through the provision of certain school activities, school bags, school books whatever it is. We are seeing a level of penetration in our schools in terms of marketing to children that we don’’t really see at quite that level in the rest of the region,” said Foster.

Policy Advisor of Healthy Caribbean Coalition, Nicole Foster told the Barbados Advocate that there is a need for comprehensive approaches to the problems of obesity. She explained that people will have to be re-socialised, change their environment and provisions put in place to help people understand what they are eating, what is real food and what is not food.

She highlighted that Chile has a sugar tax, but it has also passed legislation that regulates the food environment. Foster noted that in the region, there is no mandatory front-of-pack labelling scheme which will help consumers to make informed choices.

Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven.

This text taken from the Gospel of Matthew, was the reoccurring theme delivered by Reverend Dr. Anthony Holder during the Ash Wednesday’s service at the St. Michael Cathedral.

During his sermon to the modestly sized congregation, Holder expressed his concern on how modern day Christians seem to be latched onto the pomp and circumstance of ‘showing off’ their faith when others are looking, rather than living it openly at all times.

“It begs the question, should we not give thanks to God in public for the abilities God has given us? For the food we eat and the ability to worship… is that not what this gospel is saying to us? We need to be careful of the intent behind how we worship God. We need to be careful about the intent, the way, the how and the why we worship God. Today’s Gospel isn’t as much about piety, prayer and fasting, as it is about the motivation behind these things and why we do them,” he explained.

He also warned citizens to not allow themselves to become subservient to what others want to see or gain from them. Instead, to live in the ways and moral lessons God has bestowed upon mankind.

“Have you ever done something, just to gain favour from someone else? Have you ever put on a good face and pretended to be someone you were not just so that you would fit in and be accepted, but all along you are not being true to yourself? Do you sometimes keep score of your life’s successes and failures? My friends, if you recognize any of these things in your life, then you probably know what it’s like to search in the outer world of yourself. We tend to forget that God made us out of the dust of the earth. We live on the outside, and forget about the inside life. Our relationships become phony and not real to our identity. Jesus is calling us to live our lives from the inside out, and move ourselves from finding our place in the other world, to the inner world. He is asking us to live our lives in the light always, and not only when someone is watching,” he added. (SB)

SINGER, composer, entertainer William “Smokey” Burke is dead.

Word of his passing sent a wave of shock and grief across the entertainment fraternity as news quickly spread yesterday afternoon. He was 69 years old.

The bona fide icon in the local entertainment industry was known for transcending genres including calypso, spouge, R&B, ballads, folk and Christmas songs. In fact, his remake of the “Christmas Shoes” remains a favourite around the holidays for most Barbadians.

However, his health had been fading for some time. Back in 2010 the entertainment fraternity banded together to raise funds for Smokey, who was receiving treatment for non-Hodgkins in Canada. The veteran entertainer later revealed that he was in remission. In 2018 he was forced to withdraw from the Pic-o-De-Crop Finals after he contracted sepsis, which was followed by a stroke. In spite of his challenges, he remained optimistic about his prognosis.

Tributes flowed for the beloved entertainer on social media yesterday. Minister of Culture and former calypso king John King said: “I am saddened to learn of the passing of my dear friend, entertainer par excellence William “Smokey” Burke. His distinct voice heard in many bands across the island, a stint with the Drifters to emerging as a force to be reckoned with on the calypso stage as a perennial competitor in the Pic-O-De Crop Competition. He was an amazing talent, humorous, outspoken and passionate about the arts. I wish to convey my heartfelt condolences to his family and friends. Smokey, we will miss you.”

President of the Democratic Labour Party Verla De Peiza said: “It is heart wrenching but so too was watching you struggle. You are in a better place and our hearts will heal. But never, never forget. Your loyalty to country and Party stayed with you til the end. We are forever grateful. ‘Sleep on!Bright angels guard thy rest.”

Founder of the Barbados Music Awards Ronnie Morris said: “I am saddened to learn of the passing of my dear friend, entertainer par excellence William “Smokey” Burke. His distinct voice heard in many bands across the island, a stint with the Drifters to emerging as a force to be reckoned with on the calypso stage as a perennial competitor in the Pic-O-De Crop Competition. He was an amazing talent, humorous, outspoken and passionate about the arts. I wish to convey my heartfelt condolences to his family and friends. Smokey, we will miss you.”

CEO of the National Cultural Foundation Carol Roberts-Reifer said: “Rest easy Smokey Burke. The most spontaneously hilarious person I've ever met. Mek de angels cackle out my love!” (JH)

Sparked by robust recovery in the destinations that were affected by hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017, Caribbean tourism rebounded soundly to post record arrivals in terms of both stay-over and cruise in 2019.

Acting Secretary General of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO), Neil Walters, pointed this out as he recently delivered the 2019 Caribbean Tourism Performance Report.

“Stay-over arrivals grew by 4.4 per cent to reach 31.5 million. This outpaced the international rate of growth of 3.8%, reported by the World Tourism Organisation,” he said.

Overall, the destinations most impacted by the hurricanes in 2017 saw some of the highest rates of growth.

“Some examples of this were St. Maarten which experienced growth of 80 per cent; Anguilla (74.9 per cent); the British Virgin Islands (57.3 per cent); Dominica (51.7 per cent); the US Virgin Islands (38.1 per cent); and Puerto Rico increased (31.2 per cent). Meanwhile, cruise visits increased by 3.4 per cent to 30.2 million, representing the seventh consecutive year of growth,” he outlined.

Walters added that the US was the best performing among the major stay-over markets, registering an increase of 10 per cent, to reach a record 15.5 million visitors. However, Canada, one of only two main markets to have sustained growth in each of the last three years, was sluggish in 2019 at 0.4 per cent growth, equivalent to 3.4 million tourist visits. Meanwhile, the European market dipped by 1.4 per cent from 5.9 million in 2018 to 5.8 million. The UK was down by 5.6 per cent to approximately 1.3 million visitors.

On the other hand, intra-Caribbean travel increased by 7.4 per cent to reach 2.0 million, while the South American market declined by 10.4 per cent to 1.5 million.

“According to STR Global, in the hotel sector revenue per available room at year end was US$139.45, representing a growth rate of 2.8 per cent, while the average daily room rate grew by 5.6 per cent to US$218.82. Room occupancy on the other hand fell by 2.7 per cent, from 65.5 per cent in 2018 to 63.7 per cent last year,” he revealed.

In conclusion, Walters noted, “[The year] 2019 was a great one overall for Caribbean tourism, based not only on the record performance by the region, but also for some individual destinations. These achievements were made despite several challenges such as global economic and political uncertainty and the impact of climate change leading to extreme weather events in some cases.
“As we navigate 2020, concerns remain over the global economic, environmental, political and social uncertainty, including the US presidential election, the impact of climate change and extreme weather events and health threats/issues, especially the coronavirus, and how these could influence our performance,” he added.

“There are other factors such as less-than-adequate intra-regional air access and high levels of taxation, which may hinder travel. However, destinations are making improvements to their infrastructure and there’s renewed investment regionally in tourism facilities for both air and sea travellers,” he said.

“For 2020, tourist arrivals to the 2017-hurricane impacted destinations should further normalise, returning closer to the pre-hurricane levels. Other destinations are expected to show modest growth as the world’s economy is expected to expand by 2.5%, according to the World Bank, while the USA economy is only expected to grow 1.8 %. Based on our preliminary estimates, tourist arrival levels to the Caribbean are projected to grow between 1.0% and 2.0% in 2020, with a similar rate of growth expected for the cruise sector,” Walters concluded.

MINISTER of Labour, Colin Jordan, is urging managers and supervisors to attend meetings hosted by the Labour Department to better understand the need to follow process where disputes may occur in the workplace.

He was responding to a question posed during the Estimates debate on Tuesday, where he highlighted the positive outcomes being seen by the Department and the Employment Rights Tribunal.

“Even at the stage where we have gotten to hearings, I think Barbadians who have been following decisions, would realise that many of the decisions have been based on a lack of following process. And the reason why I came back in is because it goes back to what I was saying to an earlier observation from yourself, Madame Chair, about managers managing, supervisors supervising, there is from what we have found, a tendency not to manage situations as they happen, but to get to boiling point and then want to explode.”

Minister Jordan added, “We are asking people and those sessions that the Chief referred to, we are really appealing to employers to send those people who manage people who supervise people to those sessions, so that they understand process.

“The Labour Department and the Ministry of Labour has not been set up to say that every worker in Barbados with a complaint is right, sometimes they are wrong, but there are processes to follow. The processes, and I must say this, the processes are not as onerous as they may appear.

“In law it is called due process so that you accuse a person of something, you must at least tell them what it is that they have done wrong, you must at least give them an opportunity to correct the wrong. If they don’t, then you have to take further action. But due process says ‘Tell me what I have done wrong, give me an opportunity to fix it’ and then if you can, help me in the process of fixing it as well.

“These are things that the Labour Department, the Chief and her team, the approach that they use in those sessions to encourage employers to do the right thing and follow the process.”

With regard to the Employment Rights Tribunal, he noted that case management has allowed for the number of matters to be expedited. “The work of the Tribunal in hearings, is public. We say to the parties involved, let us sit down together, let us put all of the information on the table and let us start to talk this through. And you come to a decision whether or not you think you want to pursue the matter based on everything before us.

“And there have been a number of cases that have been sent on to the Tribunal that have been withdrawn as a result of that. There have also been a greater number that have been resolved at that stage, once people are sitting dispassionately, looking at all of the information, receiving some guidance from the Tribunal... That Tribunal then brings that dispassionate approach to the proceedings and there have been a number of the cases that have been solved at the case management level,” Minister Jordan revealed. (JH)

Some of the island's best young chefs have a new training ground to get themselves ready for battle in the 2020 edition of the Taste of the Caribbean. 

After years of undergoing training at various hotels around the island, a new partnership has been struck and last year's championship team will be gearing up with the help of the Barbados Defence Force.

With the new accord having started from February 19, the 25-member team are under the scrutiny of military officers three days a week before they head off to Miami in June. 

The partnership, which is between the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association and the Barbados Defence Force, sees the team using the bar and kitchen facilities at the historic Officers Mess at St. Ann's Fort to hone their skills while being critiqued by the military's top brass.

Addressing the diners before this past Wednesday's session, Team Manager Henderson Butcher explained what was expected of them. "We need to get some feedback from you guys early because we have some new members on the team this year and we need to stay ahead of the game when it comes to training. They are a little ahead than they usually would be, so I wanted that before we actually get to a real gourmet, that they can have this kind of session instead of just doing and not understanding what they are supposed to be doing, he said before going on to clear up some misconceptions about the selection of the team. 

"A lot of chefs heard about the team, know about the team and they think it is about favouritism. But only now they are realising the work that goes into it. A lot of chefs in Barbados don't like to do paperwork, but unfortunately if you're a member of the team, you have to do paperwork or you cannot participate," he stated.

With it still early on in the training, the team was split into two factions – the Creative Foodies and the Flaming Breadfruits and they were charged with creating two separate menus on the day. Butcher rounded out his speech by urging the officers to be as honest as possible as their main purpose was to help the team grow.

"Just be as honest as possible, while being respectful at the same time because this is helping the culinary team of Barbados who are the reigning Caribbean champions, to solidify what we are doing this year and we need your help to do so. So far the relationship between the Barbados Defence Force and the culinary team of Barbados is good and I can see a lot of areas that we can grow in and I really thank you for being a part," he said. (MP)

A team from Kooyman Barbados paid a visit to The Barbados Advocate just yesterday, as part of an initiative aimed at connecting with senior staff of media houses in the country, to get them acquainted with its offerings and to create linkages going forward.

Sir Anthony Bryan, Publisher and Chairman of the Board of the Advocate Publishers (2000) Inc., along with Executive Director, Samantha Smith; Advertising Director, Sandra Clarke and News Editor, Dorian Bryan met with Charlene Mullin, Marketing Officer for Kooyman Barbados, inside the company’s Board Room. Tracey Winter and Rica Edey of Match and Mirror Marketing Solutions, who accompanied Mullin as part of her team, were also on hand to make promotional presentations to the staff.

“We just wanted to reach out to the media houses (given) their support thus far and to basically meet the people that we will be building the relationships with, going forward,” Mullin said of the visit.

Advocate Publisher Sir Anthony Bryan, in welcoming the team, noted that he was happy to have Kooyman Barbados visiting the oldest newspaper in Barbados, given that the paper has been established since 1895. He then engaged with Mullin on a wide range of topics, in relation to the Kooyman brand and its offerings.

The Kooyman Megastore offers a one-stop shopping experience for those seeking building materials, hardware and home improvement, in “an inspiring shopping environment, combined with excellent customer service”. Kooyman’s Marketing Officer was therefore happy to share about the company’s wide variety of products, product pricing, some of its advertising and marketing initiatives, as well as its direct efforts to generate employment, given that 103 out of its 105 staff members are Barbadian.

It was just on Saturday February 22, 2020 that the Kooyman Megastore signalled its grand opening in Barbados, on location at Kendal Hill in Christ Church. Having broken ground at that site back in March 2019, the Megastore which features a Drive Thru section and over 20, 0000 different products, was completed in less than a year’s time and within budget.

Kooyman originates from the Dutch Caribbean island of Curaçao and is a 100 per cent Caribbean family-owned company, that has been doing business in the region for over 80 years. Kooyman has been operating stores in Curaçao, Bonaire, Aruba and St. Maarten, ahead of its newest venture in Barbados. (RSM)

BLEAKNESS. That’s what Opposition spokesperson for the tourism sector Scott Weatherhead is telling Barbadians to expect, as the People’s Party for Democracy and Development dissected government’s budget during a press conference in the party’s temporarily relocated office in the Worthing Corporate Centre yesterday morning.

Weatherhead while acknowledging that Barbadians will primarily be seeking to find out what the budget will do to their way of life, said: “The real hard and fortunate relate of this situation is, that the facts state that we are not going to see any improvement in our way of life, we are not going to see any improvement in the cost of living in Barbados. We are not going to see any improvement in our circumstances as citizens of Barbados.

“In fact what we will see undoubtedly is a degradation of our current circumstances as a result of this continued policy that this government is pursuing. This policy which this party has said many times has not clearly defined any growth strategy to grow our economy beyond foreign investment, beyond the tourism industry, and beyond taxes. And we cannot grow an economy on taxes. We cannot grow and restore our economy with a single industry, tourism.”

“What we are asking is that we should be completely dependent on other countries to bring us visitors and bring us US dollars with those visitors. But we have no control over whether or not those visitors will come. We have no control over how much they will spend.”

Weatherhead challenged that the situation could become even more dire, with Covid-19 threatening several major economies. “There may be shocks to that industry which again we have no control over. Because I assure you that should that virus make landfall in Barbados and create a serious impact here, be guaranteed it will negatively impact our tourism industry and that means that the one-legged man that our economy is standing on will be hobbled.”

He added: “The situation we are facing is bleakness for 2020-2021 not growth. You can look and see the stock markets are crashing as a result of the corona virus. You can see that China and other major economies of the world are projecting as a result of this substantial decreases in their economies this year. That would have a roll-on effect on Barbados by summer or by next year. That means whatever impact that has on America or China, it will significantly have an impact on us. So if they are projecting one per cent on Barbados you can expect – two per cent if the global economy recedes as a result of the impact of this virus.”

The spokesperson stressed that efforts must be made to diversify the economy. “We have continually said as a party that it is very important that government outlines other means of growing our economy besides foreign investment, besides hoping that visitors bring money to our shores. We need to see investment in agriculture, we need to see growth and development in the agricultural sector, we need to see growth and development in our people, in natural resources and exploitation of those.

“We need to see growth and development in manufacturing and exports, so that we are really generating something that is home-grown that we are not reliant on people to bring money to us, we actually would take products to them and earn our keep. That is really what we are saying... is that this government continues to pursue a policy which is based on the reliance of others to bring us money. And we really need to be focused on generating income on our own with our own human resources capital, driving our industries, developing our agricultural sector. This is where we need to focus,” he advised. (JH)

Manager of the National Council on Substance Abuse (NCSA) Betty Hunte has underscored the need for Guidance Counsellors to be familiar with students who maybe substance abusers; those who may be at risk for becoming substance abusers; and whose parents have been or who are substance abusers.

Addressing a one-day “Drug Education Workshop” for Guidance Counsellors at NCSA’s Belleville Headquarters yesterday, she also insisted that they all should know what actions to take with students involved in substance abuse.

Hunte therefore explained that the workshop provided an excellent opportunity to learn about emerging drug trends, new psychoactive substances, the Barbados Drug Information Network (BARDIN) findings as well as NCSA Counselling Services.

“Of course, it maybe impossible for some of you with heavy classroom loads, to notice changes in every student who is abusing substances; but you could very well be the catalyst for substance abuse treatment and other intervention to start. In your role, you are also in a position to be able to provide good follow-up support given that you have the privilege of being able to follow a student over several years.

“This training is therefore timely, taking into consideration the challenges which Guidance Counsellors and School Officials face in responding to emerging trends in drug use. If we are honest, we would perhaps admit that a meaningful response cannot be realised without training from both traditional and non-traditional sources,” she said.

Furthermore, Hunte emphasised that guidance counselling is critical to those children who need guidance especially when they do not get it at home.
“School guidance counsellors, you matter,” she told the professionals gathered.

“You help ensure that today’s children become productive, well-adjusted citizens of tomorrow. You and by extension the school system, have now become of critical importance in the response to drug use and abuse. You are at the forefront of the drug fight; many of our nation’s youth reach out to you for assistance daily; you must therefore be knowledgeable and current about these substances and new trends amongst our school population.”

President of the Guidance Counsellors Association, Margaret Grant, welcomed the initiative by NCSA.

She said that with the seemingly easy access to marijuana and other illicit substances, guidance counsellors recognise that the issues to be discussed are relevant and timely, as they continue to strengthen their skills and expand knowledge base.

“We know that drug use produces serious effects on public health, security, economic productivity and on families and communities. Our children are learning how to camouflage drug testing results, they are learning how to stash substances in their school bag handles, pen barrels and sharpeners.
“It is anticipated that at the end of the workshop each person would leave armed with a toolkit of skills, knowledge and an attitude that would help to identify addictive behaviour, so that relevant referrals can be made... We want to continue in the fight against drug and substance use and abuse.”

The third staging of the Faculty of Science and Technology’s (FST) NERD Day has received a stamp of approval from participants and attendees.

The annual event, which was held at the 3W’s Pavilion at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Cave Hill Campus, this year carried the theme, “Striving for Innovation and Entrepreneurship through STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics)”. During it, there was a focus on the importance of STEM in the economic development of Barbados and the Caribbean.
President of the Cave Hill Meteorology (MET) Society, Keishelle Codrington was one person who spoke positively about the event. She said though the turnout at that point was low compared to last year, she still believed the event was critical.

“It is good exposure and it lets people get familiar with [and] give people a proper sense of the different fields of the sciences because everybody thinks that chemistry is just equations, meteorology is math and physics is physics and computer science is just a whole lot of work but there is so much fun to it and when they get exposed to that they build more interest.”

Sharing similar sentiments, Computer Science student, Damian Garnes whose AI project was displayed, said it was “a good idea” because it gave students from FST a chance to “showcase whatever they are working on.”

Lecture and Facility Advisor for the Cave Hill Meteorology (MET) Society, Dr. Andrea Sealy also spoke about the significance of NERD Day.

“I think it is a fantastic idea because one way to get people involved is to just bring the science out there in a fun interactive way, NERD Day is a great way to do that. So people would be thinking, ‘Oh, you sit in a lecture theatre and see all these equations going up’, which does happen because that is a part of learning it when you are specialising and doing your degree, but you still have to make the public aware too. You may not want to study science, but it is still good to know what we are doing in terms of science at the university or in Barbados in general. It is good to have this so people are aware of the Faculty and what people in the Faculty are doing and especially to showcase the student clubs.”

As attendees moved from booth to booth, there was the opportunity to view the virtual reality display and demonstration, learn more about the clubs in the Faculty and be a part of the FST Innovation Award launch and training session.

Dean of the FST, Colin Depradine shared his hope that attendees and participants would leave the event with a greater idea of the links between STEM and entrepreneurship.

“This is all about STEM based entrepreneurship and getting the young students in the Faculty to see themselves as just more than just builders but persons who can take that skillset and build a business or be part of a business and be in leadership positions whether it is politics or within a company. You don’t really see politicians who are scientists, you don’t see them leading companies and this is not from a lack of trying, I think it is a cultural think [where] you don’t believe that if you are in that area you can do these things. But if you want to grow, if the Caribbean wants STEM to be a part of their future, a part of the economy that might have to change. If you don’t have the youngsters leading these enterprises, it is not going to work.”

THE island’s national agricultural exhibition Agrofest got off to a good start yesterday, despite a number of logistical challenges which loomed as the opening approached.

Hundreds of school children descended on Queen’s Park throughout the day yesterday, for the opening of Agrofest 2020, which got under way under the theme “We Gatherin’ We Fruit”, in keeping with the national We Gatherin’ 2020 activities.

CEO of the Barbados Agricultural Society, James Paul, told The Barbados Advocate that he was happy with the day’s turnout and to see the number of school children showing a keen interest in agriculture, engaging the owners of various agricultural businesses and even using the agricultural exhibition as a means to do their school projects.

“In terms of the first day, it has not been going badly. We started off this morning and of course as I said there were some logistical challenges, but we managed to overcome that and the turnout from the schools as expected is good,” Paul stated.

“We have activities here as you can see, which are very much of interest to them. This is the culinary competition that is happening and we have about five schools participating. I find their presentations are very interesting. There are a lot of baked goods, also food being done with things such as five fingers, sweet potatoes, which is good and you can see the children going from stall to stall, asking questions about the sector in itself. They are trying to get a history of the organisations involved in the sector, all of those things and it seems as if some schools are also making it a study tour for the children, which in itself is very good,” he added.

Paul also expressed his delight about a number of youth who have also been given the opportunity to display their businesses during Agrofest, as well as schools such as the Barbados Community College and St. George Secondary School and many more, who are taking up the opportunity to showcase much of what they have been doing at the agricultural level.

“All of these things are happening, which is good,” Paul commented.

Acknowledging the theme of this year’s exhibition, “We Gatherin’ We Fruit”, Paul expressed his hope that over the weekend, patrons visiting Queen’s Park will come out in their numbers to see what they can gather.

“I am hoping that yes, we see the numbers that we want and not just the numbers, but people who will be interested in agriculture in itself and who will be willing to ensure that as we go out there in the community, we have greater support for agriculture, so that it can contribute more to the economy at the same time,” Paul indicated. (RSM)

Two passengers and one crew member on Carnival Fascination which arrived in Barbados on Thursday were given the all-clear for coronavirus and all passengers disembarked the ship as planned yesterday.

Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley personally delivered the news of the negative results to cheering passengers, alongside some members of her Cabinet and senior medical officials, who boarded the vessel when it was given permission to dock at the Bridgetown Port late on Thursday night.

The report of three persons exhibiting flu-like symptoms came on Wednesday before the cruise liner, which carried 2 281 passengers and 896 crew, was to make its scheduled stop in Castries, St. Lucia. Having been tested on board for Influenza A, the two passengers tested positive, whereas the crew member tested negative.

However, as a precautionary measure given the current threat of the coronavirus across the world, St. Lucia unable to do such testing denied the ship entry. Barbados, being the next scheduled stop, implemented its protocols for the virus and conducted tests.

“We came on board tonight to let you know that all is well, that we have done the tests and all of the tests are negative. Therefore there is no reason for us to give you another 14-day vacation,” Prime Minister Mottley told guests which included 37 Barbadians.

“We were able to ensure that working with Carnival that we would put the interest of all of the passengers and the crew on board as our primary consideration, alongside with those of our population. And we stuck with the protocols that we have developed; we worked seamlessly with the cruise ship, with their agents on the island and with all of the relevant agencies and I want to thank all of them.”

It was during a press conference held at Government Headquarters after 11 a.m. on Thursday that Prime Minister Mottley revealed that it was only three persons sick on board and not the rumoured 170 people.

During the period of testing the vessel could be seen anchored off Barbados for several hours.
(TL)

The spirit of giving was evident at the Maurice Byer Polyclinic recently where two new benches and a PA system were donated.

The benches, which are situated at the front of the compound, were gifted by the St. Peter Parish Organising Committee and Member of Parliament for St. Peter, Colin Jordan to the healthcare facility. Meanwhile, the PA system was given by Port St. Charles.

The day's philanthropic effort formed part of the final initiatives in the parish this month as its We Gatherin' activities quickly culminate.

Delivering remarks during the handing-over ceremony, Jordan explained that the funds used to obtain both benches were those given by individuals who attended the "St. Peter Gives Thanks" Gospel Concert held on February 1. He shared a hope that the seats "will go somewhere into making the environs of the polyclinic more comfortable to those who both work here and those who attend here for healthcare." He additionally expressed his commitment to seeing that a bus shelter is placed out front of the polyclinic.

Also speaking during proceedings, General Manager of Port St. Charles, Stephen Austin shared the decision to give back to the polyclinic was partly due to his experience in the pharmacy area while collecting medication for his dad. He encouraged more businesses to support the facility.

"We need to have more businesses supporting small things, it doesn't always have to be big things and I think this PA system will come in very handy for everyone in the polyclinic," he said.

In her acceptance remarks, Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Cheryl McCollin expressed appreciation for the donations. She said during the month "persons of St. Peter, they have stepped forward in a very tangible way that I am very appreciative for."

She also explained the benches were timely because the one that was there previously, had collapsed and was removed last week. She also stated that the PA system would go a long way to improve the experience for individuals in the pharmacy area. (MG)

Minister of Home Affairs, Edmund Hinkson has again given early release to some juveniles sent to the Government Industrial Schools.

He made the disclosure yesterday morning while indicating that those children have agreed to go into the Barbados Youth Advance Corps. 

Hinkson was at the time delivering the feature address during the opening ceremony of a conference entitled "New Directions for Youth Justice", hosted by Institute for Gender and Development Studies: Nita Barrow Unit of the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus. That conference which was held in collaboration with the Ministry of Home Affairs, UNICEF and the Oxford-Caribbean Youth Development Project took place at the Sagicor Cave Hill School of Business and Management.

His comments came as he spoke of the work being undertaken to bring about a new Child Justice Act for this country, contending that such is needed to modernise a justice system that puts children at a grave disadvantage. Minister Hinkson is adamant that changes must be made to improve the situation, which continues to impose no less than three-year sentences on children for minor offences.

Minister Hinkson's remarks came as he noted that there are at present 28 children at the Governmental Industrial School – 11 females and 17 males. He indicated that that figure has dropped significantly since he took over as Minister of Home Affairs, noting that it was almost double at that time.

"I am happy to say that the population has been reduced and that has been partly so because I took a policy decision last year that I would release some of the students. So seven were released in September last year and two weeks ago I released another seven," he said.

Minister Hinkson made the point while contending that it is "totally abominable to the spirit and mind", that the law dictates that the magistrate must, where a child is found guilty of an offence as simple as wandering, impose a sentence of a minimum of three years at the Government Industrial School. Hinkson maintained that it is an embarrassment, adding that he has often wondered why no attorney has challenged the constitutionality of such a provision. With that in mind, he said that there are plans for the three-year minimum sentence for minor offences to be removed under the new law. He said the goal is that the new Child Justice Bill will be before Parliament for approval during the course of this year.

He went on to say that allowing the recently released children to become part of the Barbados Youth Advance Corps programme, will help them to realise their full potential and assist them in building strong life skills that the traditional education system does not cater for, but which are important to give the youth the tools they need to survive and advance in adulthood.

"I certainly look forward to hearing that these children that have left the Government Industrial School now and who will go in and participate in this Youth Advance Corps, will advance," he said.

The programme, which he said is being conducted by the Ministry of Youth in collaboration with the Barbados Defence Force, will also ensure that discipline is instilled in them. (JRT)