WORDS of warning were given to participants of the Canadian Farm Labour Programme after marijuana plants were found growing on one of the farms last year.

During a local annual review meeting held at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre yesterday morning, Liaison Officer James Inniss gave a comprehensive overview of last year’s programme, including some of the challenges faced and feedback from some of the employers.

Inniss, during his report, told the group that in September marijuana was found growing on one of the farms on which Jamaicans and Barbadians were employed. “This is the second occasion such a thing has happened. The employer was very angry and held a meeting with Barbados Liaison Services and Jamaica Liaison Services,” he said.

The officer said that the employer was so incensed that it is still uncertain if the group of 15 farmers will be asked to return to work on that farm. “One of the things that concerned him the most was the processing plant is also on the property, which employs some 300 Canadian workers. His concern was in the event that somebody had notified the police and they had come and found the trees growing on the property, they could easily shut down the plant.”

He noted that while medical marijuana is legal in Canada, one must have a license. “Failing that and you are caught you will be prosecuted,” he warned.

Minister of Labour, Dr. Esther Byer-Suckoo, while delivering featured remarks, reminded the farmers that they are ambassadors for Barbados on a programme which is in its 49th year.

She noted that officials including herself speak highly of Barbadian workers while abroad, boasting of their skill and literacy level, hard work and good behaviour, and even point to the fact that a Police Certificate of Character is also required when Barbadian labourers are seeking employment on the farms.

“We are vouching through the RBPF that workers are of upstanding character. When we have workers who go to Canada, who break the law, then it looks bad on us.

“When you break the law in this programme, employers are within their right to send you back home. They run the risk of having their programme shut down if the law enforcement comes in and realises that marijuana is being grown.

“So if you had something like that happen with you, unless you can make the case that it wasn’t you and you can prove that case, as long as we have on record that you did such a thing in Canada or anywhere else that we may send you, we are not going to put you back on this programme anytime soon. It may be a long time coming. You may get a second chance, but not in any hurry.”

The Labour Minister also pointed to reports of fighting, which she said is not a matter which the employers are keen to have to address. She reminded that there is competition globally for these positions and when one group misbehaves, it doesn’t bode well for those who may be interested in the programme in the future.

Inniss also drew attention to lateness and failure to keeping quarters clean as areas highlighted by the employers.

All in all, the Minister said in spite of a challenging year, 173 Barbadians participated in the programme last year. The next group should be heading to Canada in March after the order for workers has been submitted. One of the farms, Nanticoke, was forced to close after the death of its owner, however those workers were absorbed into other farms. It was revealed that a vineyard in British Colombia has joined the programme.

The meeting also allowed the workers to be updated on changes which will include the 25 per cent no longer being deducted out of their salaries as stated by the Government of Canada. The Minister noted that out of this approximately five per cent would go to administrative fees, while the other would have been kept for other bill payments and even savings as directed by the farmers. The workers were advised that they would now have to do this themselves, including the payments to the National Insurance Scheme. (JH)

BARBADOS is on course for full employment with a number of new jobs being created from the several tourism-related construction projects which are to come on stream.

Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Richard Sealy, told his annual news conference yesterday at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Conference Centre, that the aim is to have over
14 000 jobs created over the next three years with the start-up of the projects.

He explained that full employment does not mean zero unemployment, but rather employment for those who are seeking jobs.

“I don’t want anyone to suggest that we want to take unemployment to zero per cent. We can come close to full employment and I am trying to get the team at the Ministry of Tourism to aim for that goal,” Sealy told the function, which was attended by several stakeholders in the industry. He said that it can be done, even if it is off a bit.

“We have to embrace change, which is necessary in order to make progress,” according to Sealy.

The Minister said that Barbados’ unemployment rate is just over 10 per cent, and it is projected that the numbers will be under 10 per cent by year-end. Currently, approximately 15 000 people are looking for work out of a workforce of about 147 000 persons.

At the moment, 700 persons are employed on the Sandals project at Maxwell, Christ Church, and there are plans to ramp that up to 1 000 as that project nears completion.

As for the $240 million Sam Lord’s Castle redevelopment programme, the Minister said that 1 100 persons will be employed on the site. Government, he explained, is facilitating the project, “which is the largest of its kind we have ever done”.

A further 500 will find work at the Hyatt, while Almond Beaches’ scheduled to start by April 2018, and the Four Seasons, will contribute towards the goal of full employment.

Sealy said that Government will remain a facilitator, and that it will not be getting involved in the management of hotels. To this end, he assured that Sam Lord’s Castle will not be another Hotel and Resorts Limited (HRL), and that they will be looking to Wyndham Hotels taking charge once Sam Lord’s is up and running.

He also made the point that Government only got involved with the Almond Beach Hotel in St. Peter because the Barbados private sector showed no interest in the property when Massy Holdings Limited decided to sell it.

Sealy did not say much about Four Seasons, except that there are some individuals who have shown an interest in the project. Negotiations, he added, are at an advanced stage. (JB)

General Secretary of the Democratic Labour Party (DLP), George Pilgrim says the country has achieved much that it can be proud of during the last nine years in areas such as education, tourism, housing and health among others.

In a statement released yesterday marking four years since the Party started its second term in office, Pilgrim said they have delivered on much in respect of the build out of education both in terms of the infrastructure, seen in work done at The Lodge School and the construction of the Blackman/Gollop Primary, and the Maria Holder Nursery Schools; and the instructional programmes, with new degree courses of study introduced at the Barbados Community College and the expansion of the Erdiston Teachers’ Training College. He also referred to the tourism industry, in which he said Government has been able to not only boost tourist arrivals, setting new records, but attracted investment including the Wyndham brand and the recently approved Hyatt.

“We delivered much in agriculture and water as many Barbadians will have uninterrupted access with the new water mains. We delivered much in health as we delivered a spanking new Polyclinic in St John. We delivered much in public finance as we have kept our dollar parity. We delivered much in culture as we created the Cultural Industries Bill. We delivered much in energy as we pushed policy to make Barbados less crude oil dependent,” he said.

But, Pilgrim maintained that even in the face of all that, they cannot take their eye off the goal post as there is still much more to do. His comments came as he took the opportunity to express the party’s gratitude to all Barbadians who have ensured that the journey of the last few years was possible.

“Over the nine years, we have seen many developments locally, regionally and internationally. Yet, the party has stayed the course and sought to secure a better Barbados for all. This occasion presents an opportunity for members and supporters to reflect on our policy success. The Democratic Labour Party has much to be proud of as a government,” he maintained.

Reflecting on their adversaries, Pilgrim said it is imperative that they do not allow the party to be defined by those opponents. The General Secretary said that while the DLP accepts that their policy agenda will be criticised, they are cognisant that there will also be “criticisms without cause too”; but he charged that this “strategy of slash and burn” has never been one that the DLP has subscribed to.

Sixth form students of The Lodge School have been encouraged to consider options beyond Barbados’ shores after secondary school.

Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation, Senator Harcourt Husbands made this suggestion as he addressed pupils yesterday. On this date, Japan’s Ambassador to Barbados His Excellency Teruhiko Shinada paid a courtesy call to the Society, St. John educational institution.

“The entire Asia-Pacific area, I think we and I think that you young students have to see a future where this becomes part of your horizon; the possibility of travelling and living in Asia, learning Japanese and Chinese…”

He continued, “There are tremendous opportunities for you young people to broaden your horizons and think of your future not only in terms of Barbados but also in terms of the entire world. This visit this morning, I think would lead and open your senses to all these possibilities that exist.”
Husbands during his remarks lauded the Ambassador for visiting the school. He also told the gathering in the hall that their school was specially selected.

“From the time I have been at the Ministry of Education, I have not known of an occasion when an Ambassador from a foreign country has requested a visit to a secondary school in Barbados and the fact that the Ambassador of Japan [in Barbados] has requested that he visit not only any school in Barbados…, but it is his request that he visited The Lodge School, I think that this is a single honour to the staff, the board and you, the students of this historic and noble institution.”

During his visit, the Ambassador of Japan in Barbados took a brief tour of the school and viewed the exhibition which forms part of the school’s Black History Month celebrations as well as viewed and sampled dishes that were been prepared by the Home Economics students.

Shinada, who took up his post four months ago, stated it was his “first time” visiting a local school. He not only presented tokens to the Principal of The Lodge School, Winston Dowrich but offered words of advice to the sixth formers.

“My message to you is: Be proud to be a student of The Lodge School, work hard but enjoy your school life and make a lot of good friends. You can because you think you can.”

In response to the needs of its Caribbean and Central American member countries, the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility (CCRIF) is developing products for drought, agriculture and fisheries.

Celebrating the facility’s 10- year anniversary at the Caribbean Development Bank’s headquarters yesterday, Chairman of CCRIF SPC Milo Pearson highlighted that these three new offerings would provide better service to its current and future members.

He outlined that over the past decade of providing hurricane, earthquake and excess rainfall parametric insurance, the CCRIF has made 22 payouts to 10 member governments on these policies – all within 14 days of the event.

“We have witnessed first-hand how payouts have resulted in reduced burdens on state finances and many of the payouts were used almost immediately to assist with post disaster clean-up, assistance to communities, clearing roads and rehabilitating important infrastructure,” he stressed.

In fact, Pearson stressed that it was this rapid payment that was a major benefit of CCRIF membership.

“We are proud that we continue to be able to provide insurance that is affordable to our members so that they can continue to renew their policies from year to year and purchase new products when they come to market – for example excess rainfall coverage which became available in 2013 after considerable demand,” he said.

He also spoke on the facility’s expansion to include Central American countries, while welcoming Nicaragua to the ranks, pointing out that these states now had access to “the low-cost high quality catastrophe insurance coverage provided to our Caribbean members.”

Pearson also illustrated that the facility was also focusing on the needs of the individual, while speaking on the Livelihood Protection Policy, which is being done with the support of the German Government.

Targeted at vulnerable persons for farmers, day labourers, fishers, and seasonal workers in the agriculture, fisheries, tourism and construction sectors, he stated “This is an approach that is being actively promoted globally as a way to help the most vulnerable people and communities.”(JMB)

The economic impact of climate change is placing yet another heavy burden on already reeling Small Island Developing States.

St. Lucia’s Prime Minister Allen Chastanet made this clear on Monday as the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility (CCRIF) launched its tenth anniversary
celebrations at the Caribbean Development Bank.

He pointed out that while many Caribbean islands were elevated to the status of middle income countries, the high debt levels continued, and with the additional load of dealing with the fallout from climate change, the struggle to keep their heads above water continued.

“We are currently unviable. We cannot afford to deal with what we have to deal with now, as returns to climate change. The things that we’re being asked to borrow money for – how do we afford it?

“I’m not here to beg. I’m saying I think we all have a responsibility. If we accept that climate change is real, how is it that these countries that did not create the problem in the first place, and yet are being impacted so severely, are being asked to do so by themselves. CCRIF is a great example where we’re prepared to meet and do our part, but there’s so much more that we’re going to need to be able to do,” Chastanet said.

Applauding the resolution reached in Paris during the 2015 Climate Change Conference, he stated however that recognition alone was not going to be the solution to the problem.

“We’re being promised US$100 billion, we all know how that game is going to play. In 2020 that number will become a number, and then we’re going to have discussions on how we’re gonna draw down on it, and there will be all kinds of problems, and meanwhile for the SIDS the reality is now,” Chastanet said.

In addition, he explained that Caribbean states were finding themselves in a cycle of debt, not created by their own actions, but by what was happening on the international scene. (JMB)

Regional police officers and others who may have to deal with persons affected in a traumatic way by crime, are amongst the persons currently undergoing a “Supporting Victims of Crime” training course at the Accra Beach Hotel.

The Canadian Government-funded Improved Access to Justice in the Caribbean (IMPACT Justice) Project is hosting the training sessions,formally entitled “Enhancing Support to Victims of Crime: Building Capacity Through Community Partnerships”.

The programme, which started yesterday and runs today as well, is being attended by police officers of varying ranks along with gender specialists, counsellors, community development officers, social workers and others who work with victims of crime. Participants are from Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Trinidad and Tobago.

The training will address identification of victim needs, first response to individual victim types, crisis intervention with victims of crime, the importance of collaboration with the community and enhancing response to victims of crime.

The two-day training course is being held under the chairmanship of Professor Velma Newton, Regional Project Director of IMPACT Justice. The facilitators of the training sessions are, Donna Watson-Elliott, Manager of the Ottawa Police Victim Crisis Unit, and Constable Ryan McEachran of the Ottawa Police Services in Canada.

(RSM)

BROADENING the membership, using more research and technology as well as utilising social media, are among the policies Rudy Grant, the new CEO of the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA), will be pursuing on behalf of the Association.

Grant, who took up his appointment at the Association last December, and BHTA Chairman, Mrs. Roseanne Myers, made a courtesy call to The Barbados Advocate yesterday.

In remarks during that call, Grant said that since Barbados is now competing with the rest of the world in tourism services, members of the BHTA have to be fully prepared and equipped to compete effectively and efficiently.

Grant said that marketing is a critical area and as such, they have to utilise the data in their possession to work with their different categories of members, comprising A and B Class properties, luxury, attractions, restaurants and other ancillary services.

“We have to ensure we develop the right type of marketing programme that is able to benefit our members. That is an area where there is a special focus and thrust,” he explained.

He made it clear that the BHTA cannot hope by luck and chance to identify the critical and important issues and then try to design the right programmes. According to him, “We have to do research and technology to be adequately equipped, so that our intelligence is important and the research and technology would allow us to do that.”

“Of course we want to broaden our membership base and that will be a focus for us to seek to increase our membership,” he told The Barbados Advocate. The CEO said that the BHTA’s membership has to be very comfortable they are getting the benefits for being a part of the BHTA.

Grant also indicated that recently, the BHTA engaged a social media consultant. “The reality is that we have to be able to use the new technologies to be able to get the BHTA message and information out to the wider public, and to inform what the BHTA is doing,” he pointed out.

He said too that the concessions which the Government has granted hoteliers, are not a case of giving up revenue but rather ensuring “our hotels, attractions, restaurants and other ancillary services are able to compete effectively in the global marketplace”.

“So that the concessions that are provided through the Tourism Development Act and the Tourism Development Amendment Act, are very important because they assist in terms of the input costs that allow members to be competitive,” he said.

Grant remarked that the manner in which business is done as well, “is something that is important to us in this fast-paced global environment”. (JB)

IT was double celebration for the effervescent Erla Browne yesterday.

Not only did she step into the exclusive centenarian club, she was able to spend it with her six-year-old great-granddaughter Eleanor from England, who also celebrated her birthday on the same day.

The birthday gathering took place at Palm Court residence in Salters, bringing together family from the United Kingdom, Canada and Barbados to celebrate the life of this educator who spent her teaching career at the St. Gabriel’s school.

The devout Anglican, who spends time in Barbados and the UK, amazed those who came to see her including Governor General His Excellency, Sir Elliott Belgrave, whom she impressed by effortlessly reading the card which he presented on behalf of himself and his wife. She informed Sir Elliott that every morning she has two teaspoons of brandy with her morning coffee.

She admitted to the media afterwards that she eats “all the wrong things”, from pigtails, a bit of salt in her food, stressing that she doesn’t care much for greens. She also enjoys a good Bajan soup with dumplings and fruit cake at Christmas time. She noted that her nephew and health advocate, Sir Trevor Hassell, tried to get her to clean up her act some years ago, but she saw no need. “If I lived at that age and I never got a stroke, nothing. I went in to the hospital once at 18 to get my tonsils removed. Whatever is there I eat,” she laughed.

She explained that after being hit by chikungunya two years ago, she was left with occasional pain in her thumb, otherwise she is in good health.

The centenarian said she developed a love for children from the time she changed her first diaper at age 13. She recounted some of her memories at St. Gabriel’s, including the time she had to wash out a boy’s mouth with bath soap for swearing.

Rector of the St. George Parish Church, Reverend John Rogers, also attended the celebration, bringing greetings on behalf of the Parish family. He noted that she attends church on Sundays and on Wednesday mornings.

“She is a sure sign of God’s providence amongst us and she is a good sign for young people that we ought not to make excuses about not going to church. When someone 100 years can get out and serve God with the type of zest that our sister does, there is no excuse for young people.”

The reverend believes that it is her faith that brought her and other centenarians this far in life. “It is the faith of these people that have kept them going all this time. She would have seen many challenges in her lifetime, but her faith kept her grounded.”

The family thanked family friends, George and Jacqueline Brathwaite, for selflessly accommodating Erla in Barbados when the weather becomes too cold in England.

Erla has one daughter Betty Sanders. Her sons Peter and David passed away. She has four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. (JH)

An official of the local tourism stakeholder body says the association is cognisant of the need for the island to expand its tourist attractions offerings.

Chairman of the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA), Roseanne Myers made the point as she revealed that the industry has in fact seen some attractions close. The Chairman, then alluding to the importance of tourists having places to visit and activities to engage in while on vacation, acknowledged that the decrease in the number of attractions is a matter that seriously needs to be looked at and addressed.

Her comments came she said it is equally important that the attractions sector and those interested in offering such services, are fully aware of all the incentives available to them. Myers was speaking yesterday afternoon as she and the new Chief Executive Officer of the BHTA, Rudy Grant, paid a courtesy call to The Barbados Advocate.

“There are incentives that can be accessed by the attractions sector, and one of the things we discussed is really trying to promote what they are... Part of our challenge [is] to work with Government to say you’ve done a really good job in terms of offering us in principle, but unless we can say to everybody we’ve gotten them, they are working, it is going to be very difficult to convince new attractions, new anybody to come. We want to pave that way as well because we need more, we need more, we need more of everything,” she maintained.

With that in mind, she said it is essential that the Government agencies that manage carrying capacity, conduct a carrying capacity study so that they are aware of what the island requires relative to all aspects of the industry.

During the visit as the BHTA duo met with Advertising Manager, Sandra Clarke and News Editor, Dorian Bryan, they also expressed the Association’s appreciation for the newspaper’s support and coverage of their events over the years. Speaking on behalf of The Barbados Advocate, Clarke pledged continued support for the BHTA and its work and used the opportunity to highlight the importance of the tourism sector keeping locals abreast of what it has to offer by way of entertainment and dining offerings. She made the point while suggesting that there appears to be a dearth of activities for Barbadians to engage in.

It was a point that Myers endorsed, as she indicated that promoting the in-house entertainment at hotels was something they could do more of, even as part of the staycation effort going forward.

“We have phenomenal restaurants, most of them still run a local special, but if you don’t know about it, you cannot ask… We need to expand the staycation to more than just stay,” she stated. (JRT)

A recent meeting between bandleaders, promoters and officials from the Barbados Revenue Authority (BRA) has been described as “very productive”, but one side is still adopting a wait-and-see attitude.

Last week, bandleaders and promoters got the opportunity to sit down at the round table with BRA officials to discuss the vexing issue of Value Added Tax (VAT) on complimentary tickets and costumes.

When asked about the outcome of the session, President of the Barbados Association of Masqueraders (BAM), Chetwyn Stewart, did not say whether his members’ call to have the 17.5 per cent VAT on complimentary tickets and costumes reversed would become a reality. However, he did say the meeting was very productive.

“I can’t say anything other than the meeting was very productive. We met and we discussed our challenges and we will wait and see what happens next,” Stewart said.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Cultural Foundation (NCF) told this newspaper that the Foundation facilitated the meeting because of the need for the issues affecting the bandleaders to be discussed extensively.

Browne said he believes that bandleaders appreciate the role BRA has to play, while the management of the Revenue Authority has a better understanding of the challenges being faced by the people who work behind the scenes to ensure bands are on the road Kadooment Day.

“The decision was to work together and meet regularly. So they have set up a schedule of meetings for approximately every two months leading up to Crop Over, so that we can iron out any issues and have a smooth season,” Browne said.

“The meeting can go a long way in reducing some of the anxiety of the bandleaders. Over the last two years, there have been a lot of issues that they raised. Understandably, times are challenging and sponsorship is hard to get so they are looking for ways to make it happen,” he added.

The CEO said that NCF’s management was pleased that the meeting was held because they are aware of the fact that there can be no Crop Over without Grand Kadooment.

“We have got to find a way to make sure that we can help bandleaders and save Grand Kadooment. We are trying to meet with the Police now, to discuss any challenges they may have there.

“This is how we have to go forward to avoid any controversy and any bad feelings among our stakeholders,” Browne said. (AH)

Forbes Travel Guide unveiled its annual Star Rating list, naming Sandy Lane Hotel as a Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Hotel for the second year in a row.

Recognised for being an iconic property with virtually flawless service and a warm sense of Barbadian hospitality; Sandy Lane excelled to the top of the list ranking number one out of the 13 prestigious global hotel brands rated by Forbes Travel Guide. Sandy Lane was the only hotel in Barbados to receive this honour.

“Exceeding customers’ expectations is paramount to Sandy Lane and being awarded the Five Star Award from Forbes Travel Guide for a second year in a row; the global authority on luxury, is a true source of pride for the entire team at Sandy Lane,” remarked Randall Wilkie, General Manager.

“We have an exceptional team who remain committed to meeting and exceeding our guests’ expectations.

"This recognition reinforces our vision of being the premier luxury resort in the world.

"Sandy Lane is the latest addition to the luxury travel ratings that have been the gold standard in the hospitality industry since 1958.

“We are delighted to recognise the 2017 Star Rating recipients, an exceptional collection of hotels, restaurants and spas that demonstrates a strong culture of service,” said Gerard J. Inzerillo, Chief Executive Officer of Forbes Travel Guide.

“In an online environment of confusion and clutter, Forbes Travel Guide is the most trusted source of information to assist guests in making informed decisions,” Inzerillo said.

“These properties, the largest and most global group in the company’s history, achieve an impeccable standard of excellence in hospitality, underscoring our overall mission of positively contributing to the international tourism industry, as well as individual hotel experience. We are proud to congratulate everyone associated with the prestigious properties recognised today.”

Rubis Caribbean is still willing to refurbish its terminal at Spring Garden, St. Michael.

Chief Executive Officer of Rubis Caribbean, Mauricio Nicholls reaffirmed their willingness to make that an investment, noting that while they have to get official estimates, it could cost as much as US$30 million. He said the reopening of the terminal was one of the proposals made to Minister responsible for Energy, Senator Darcy Boyce during the first half of last year, but for which they are yet to receive a response.

He told the media during a press conference yesterday morning, that having a second terminal on the island would be of tremendous benefit to Barbados, not only ensuring that there are lower risks of the disruption of supply, but he said, it would result in increased employment.

“We would have to hire more people to run Spring Garden with all of the fuels we would bring into Spring Garden, and increased investment, it means that we would make a sizable investment to rebuild our tanks,” he said.

On the other hand Nicholls lamented that if the sale of BNTCL goes through as proposed, the Sol Group of Companies would essentially control the market, and this, he lamented, could have implications for Rubis’ position in the fuel business going forward.

“It is not going to happen overnight, not to say that on day one when Sol takes over the BNTCL everything changes and we disappear immediately, that’s not the case. It is a gradual process and sometimes it is a very slow process and sometimes it is very difficult to see this is really taking place. But little by little, all of these little things have the potential of eroding our position more and more and more, to the point that we may be pushed out of certain businesses,” he indicated.

Nicholls referring specifically to the proposal from Sol that there be a 15-year moratorium on the building of terminals for the storage and handling of the products presently being stored and handled by BNTCL, said it is very difficult for them to accept the idea that they would be in the hands of Sol for the next 15 years.

“That would be very, very hard for us to live, and try to continue to compete… and then we would have to analyse what options we have, what does that mean? Do we fight the fight and hold on and try to survive, even if it means that our profits would be affected and our financial position would be weakened, then our market position would be undermined? I don’t know the answer to that, it is a long, long period,” he said.

With that in mind, he made it clear if Rubis were forced to drop out of the Barbados’ market, no other player is likely to enter given that the “critical inventory” for their business is controlled by the competitor. (JRT)

The Opposition Barbados Labour Party will be leading a National March of Disgust and a Rally next month, in protest against the Democratic Labour Party government’s style of governance and the indifference shown to a number of pressing issues.

“We will be marching on the afternoon of Saturday, March 11, 2017. We call upon all civic minded Barbadians to join with us in sending a message to Freundel Stuart and his Cabinet, that their style of governance is not cute,” Opposition Leader Mia Mottley announced yesterday, during a press conference held at her office in the West Wing of Parliament.

“The National March and the Rally thereafter, I forewarn the country, is but the first salvo by the Barbados Labour Party, to let it be known that ‘enough is enough,’” Mottley added.

Stressing that Barbados cannot bear “the weight of the indifference and the incompetence of Freundel Stuart and his Cabinet for another 12 months”, Mottley added, “We will not sit silently and permit the wholesale destruction of Barbados, simply to allow a Government to limp its way to the constitutionally stipulated finish line. This is not about finishing the five years given to a Government. This must be about stopping the rot and re-energising Barbados for Barbadians.”

During the press conference, Mottley was highly critical of Prime Minister Freundel Stuart and the “indifference” he has shown to the issue involving the Minister of Finance Christopher Sinckler and the Governor of the Central Bank of Barbados, Dr. DeLisle Worrell.

She said the issue “transcends consideration of jurisdictional authority” and it goes to the heart of answering the question, whether Government will be able to come up with the money to meet its end of month commitments, without the Central Bank printing money and buying Government securities.
She pointed out that the BLP has for the past three years warned and beseeched the Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance to stop and take stock of the deteriorating economy and state of fiscal affairs in the country.

“Downgrade after downgrade has been rubbished by the Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance continued to paint an artificial image of promise and recovery, when it was clear for all to sense and to see, that the situation was getting worse and headed to intensive care,” Mottley remarked.
“Now that the Governor of the Central Bank has finally broken free of Ministerial allegiance and dictate and is telling it like it is, the Prime Minister would have us believe that this is all a side show…” she argued.

Further details on the National March of Disgust and Rally will come soon, from BLP General Secretary, Dr. Jerome Walcott. (RSM)

The newest Mazda car models, CX-3 and CX-5, were unveiled yesterday morning during the official opening of the new Mazda Showroom at McEnearney Quality Incorporated (MQI).

It was revealed that the launch of the new showroom was planned to complement the launch of the new Mazda models, which were recently added to the Mazda range line. The cars have just arrived on the island, and are now available for test drives at MQI. It was also revealed that the opening was planned to coincide with the Mazda Regional Conference, which is currently taking place in Barbados.

Judith Wilcox, the Chief Executive Officer at MQI, mentioned that she was excited because the showroom perfectly showcased the exciting Mazda range to all their customers, in a high tech, modern environment, which reinforced the Mazda brand and its Skyactiv technology.

“To celebrate, we are offering Bds$3 000 ash back on any Mazda sold until the end of the month,” she said.

His Excellency, Teruhiko Shinada, noted that it was a great honour for him to attend the official opening of the showroom. He also noted that Mazda is one of the top-runners in Japan’s car industry, and expressed how proud he was to see this brand being promoted here in Barbados.

“As an Ambassador of Japan, it is an immense pleasure for me to see this beautiful new showroom with the attendance of numbers of prominent figures of this country,” he said.

Acknowledging the success of the two-day Mazda Annual Conference of the Caribbean and South America, Shinada went on to say that he believed that the Mazda Regional Conference and the official opening of the new showroom were not only business opportunities for Mazda Barbados, but also symbolic events which showed off Barbados as one of the very important business hubs in the whole region.

Also in attendance of the official opening were Hideto Asada, Director, General Manager of the Automotive and Transportation Equipment Division at Sumisho Machinery Trade Corporation; Kota Inoue, the Caribbean representative of Mazda; and Deryck Gonsalves from Sumitomo Corporation, the trading company for Mazda in the Caribbean and South America.

Rubis Caribbean is upping the ante, offering to pay US$50 million towards joint ownership of the Barbados National Terminal Company Limited (BNTCL).

That figure is half the US$100 million that the Sol Group of Companies, which won the bid to buy the BNTCL, agreed to pay the Government of Barbados.

Chief Executive Officer of Rubis Caribbean, Mauricio Nicholls, says should the Government accept his company’s proposal to purchase half the shares in the company, they are ready to move quickly to renew the sale purchase agreement and have the documents signed in as short a time as possible.

His comments came during a press conference held at the office of Virgo Communications yesterday morning.

“We are committed to doing that so that the transaction – if the Government and the FTC approve to sell it jointly to Sol and to us – the transaction will close by the end of March… I think that is a very, very strong message that we are
serious and ready to make a firm commitment to acquire 50 per cent of BNTCL, joining with Sol, and to pay the price for the 50 per cent that they have already agreed to,” he said.

Nicholls stated that he only received approval from the company’s Paris headquarters yesterday morning to make the offer, and further disclosed that the details of that offer will be made public soon. He pointed out that if the joint
ownership proposal is accepted, it would ensure that both companies have a secure future in Barbados.

This latest move by Rubis comes as the matter regarding the proposed sale of the terminal company to Sol remains before the Fair Trading Commission (FTC), which is to decide whether or not that Sol will take over the fuel storage
facility. But, officials of Rubis have long argued that the facility should not be owned by either Sol or themselves outright, but should be jointly owned so as to ensure that the playing field is a level one. Nicholls reiterated in yesterday’s press conference that Sol owning the BNTCL could not only weaken Rubis’ position in the market but also impact their consumers.

Nicholls further told journalists that that they are hopeful that the FTC will see the consequences that could arise from allowing one company to own BNTCL and block the transaction.

“I hope the FTC will see through the transaction and see the serious threat to a competitive, vibrant and huge market in Barbados, and it is a transaction that will have serious impacts on the consumers, they could pay higher prices for fuel; and for businesses as well. So we are hopeful that they will see through that and that they will be able to conduct their independent analysis and reach the conclusion that this transaction has detrimental effects,” he said.

With that in mind, he disclosed that Rubis intends to make a formal submission to the FTC indicating why the deal with Sol should not go through. He said that document is complete and they are ready to submit once invited to do so by the FTC.

“I think we have a very strong and compelling submission that we are hopeful that trained economists that work at the Fair Trading Commission will consider, and see the merits of the arguments that we are making why this transaction should not go through. Or if it goes through that some meaningful conditions are required so we preserve the level playing field in the fuels supply market within Barbados,” he stated. (JRT)

A secondary school which has received negative publicity based on students’ behaviour in the past, is beginning to see a reduction in the occurrence of fights and violence taking place among students.

This is according to principal Ian Holder, who was addressing the Parkinson Memorial School’s Speech Day and Prize Giving Ceremony yesterday at the Pine, St Michael institution.

He reported to parents and specially invited guests, including members of the Board of Management, that since his appointment as principal in May last year, there has been a fall-off in internal conflict at the institution.

He said that this reduction can be attributed to the fact that the school’s leadership has strengthened its focus on teaching students about God and the spiritual aspect of life.

Additionally, he said general assembly is also being held more often, so that all students can be exposed to influential and impactful programmes.

Holder highlighted that fights have not been taking place at the end of terms, which has also been a problem for the school in the past.

Following the ceremony, the principal told The Barbados Advocate that efforts are being made to form links
between students and community groups – mainly, the Pinelands Creative Workshop.

“The most important thing in transferring social skills to students is letting them know that you care. And one of the things that I have worked on since I have been here, is to give the students that understanding that the teachers are here to care for them.

“Our guidance counsellor has also been doing a tremendous job in having our students counselled in the areas of conflict resolution and anger management. I think that that change of culture within the school has been having an impact on students’ behaviour,” he said.

Holder told the gathering that while the school has been excelling in all areas, the management is now ready to take it to another level.

He explained that while educational programmes at the institution are in the process of being restructured, the Industrial Arts programme which has not been effectively running for some time is expected to be fully back on stream from September.

“We are improving our skill aspects of the curriculum to give the students more hands-on opportunities where they can learn the skills.

“I have some wonderful and qualified teachers working with me and we are trying our best to produce the best students who will be making their way into society,” Holder said.

At the prize giving ceremony, students who excelled in all aspects of the school were praised and rewarded for their dedication and commitment. The Best Overall Student was Tanneil Burnett. (AH)

IT was recently revealed that Barbados has beaten out countries such as Trinidad, Paraguay and Colombia to hold the title of most Mazda sales in the region.

This was announced by Hideto Asada, General Manager of Automotive and Transportation of the Equipment Division at Sumisho Machinery Trade Corporation, yesterday morning after the official opening of the New Mazda Showroom at McEnearney Quality Incorporated (MQI).

Asada told The Barbados Advocate that when they think of a selling spot for Mazda, Barbados is one of the popular options because even though it is a small country, the record number of sales is quite impressive. He mentioned that he was personally impressed with the progress of sales that Mazda has made of the past couple of years.

He explained that, geographically, this was a good location to have cars sent because of the incredible transport and airport systems. Along with it being relatively easy for Mazda representatives and other persons to get to Barbados, Asada said that Barbados was also an easy choice for Mazda, because of the good relationship that his company already has with MQI. He said that MQI has made a good name for itself in this country, and added that they have achieved a good result with Mazda sales.

Speaking on the test drive that they had on Tuesday at Bushy Park, Asada mentioned that it was the best place to test drive the new Mazda models, the CX-3 and CX-5.

He went on to say that he was very impressed with the event yesterday morning, and was encouraged by the amount of people that came together in the region to see and test drive the new cars, and mentioned that it was a good opportunity to get together with everyone and discuss the next strategy of Mazda.

Along with the people being very nice, he noted that these were all reasons that were considered when choosing Barbados to be one of the business hubs of Mazda.

“Government’s debt position is simply unsustainable and something needs to be done quickly and the foreign exchange situation is even more urgent, simply because we rely on foreign exchange and it underpins the stability of our dollar.”

This was the assessment made by Shane Lowe, Strategy and Economic Analyst at CIBC FirstCaribbean, during the Barbados Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) breakfast seminar, which was held at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre yesterday.

Lowe highlighted, “The debt situation is quite challenging and there are implications for foreign exchange reserves and the stability of the economy… Between 2012 and 2016, reserves fell from about 20 weeks of import cover to just about ten weeks, just about half.

“We want to be able to finance that current account gap. Since 2013 that has not been the case and the main reason for that is that because government credit rating has climbed to such a level, it cannot access international capital markets to close that gap... Also, issues with government bureaucracy and business facilitation has slowed inflows of foreign exchange for foreign direct investment and that has also led to decline.

“Therefore, the Government has to find a way to not only re-access international markets, but also accelerate some of the projects that it has been speaking about to get foreign exchange to close that current account gap.”

Lowe added, “We hear that we import too much. Typically Barbados, like many other Caribbean countries, does import more than it exports except for last year. In Barbados, we were able to earn as much foreign exchange in tourism, rum to match the exports, primarily because of the improved tourism performance last year and lower oil prices.

“However, the issue is that Government, because it cannot re-access international markets, has had to use the foreign exchange reserves to pay the debt.

“There is a fiscal problem and a balance of payment problem and they are connected. IMF outlined in the last Article report certain measures that essentially speak to a public sector reform as well as reducing Government’s reliance on the Central Bank for financing.”

The analyst believes the BCCI is an important voice in Barbados and they need to continue to speak about the issues Barbados continues to face. (NB)

THE Barbados economy is now in a more precarious condition in 2017, than it was in 2009.

Economic advisor to the Opposition Barbados Labour Party (BLP), Dr. Clyde Mascoll, suggested the above during a press conference held at the office of the Leader of the Opposition in the West Wing of Parliament this week.

“The foreign reserves are less than half of what they were. The national debt is more than double what it was. The economy is smaller. The fiscal debt is worse. The printing of money is scandalous. Poor policy choices are responsible for where we are as a country and not the international environment,” Mascoll charged.

Stressing that “better could have been done and can be done in Barbados”, Mascoll went on to state that, “a country that demonstrated the courage to make tough decisions in the past, has fallen over the last eight years, as Prime Minister Freundel Stuart and his Cabinet avoided critical decision making at every stage”.

“A simple economic sit-uation in 2008, when the country’s economic fundamentals were very solid, was badly handled. The conventional way of managing an economic recession, by using a fiscal stimulus, was rejected for excessive taxation,” Mascoll asserted.

“The elephant in the Cabinet room is lack of leadership. As far back as 2009/2010, a home-grown Medium-Term Fiscal Strategy was introduced to correct the fiscal accounts of the country. It was revised to no avail. Things have gotten worse. The rhetoric of the Government never matched the objectives of the policies. It was a case of persistent fiscal betrayal and denial on the part of the Government,” the BLP’s economic adviser added.

Apart from the obvious economic issues associated with the current impasse at the Central Bank, Mascoll noted that there are a number of other issues that raise the need for governance issues to be addressed.

He went on to state that whereas in 2008 the Central Bank held not one dollar in Government debt, in 2017 the bank holds in excess of 1.8 billion dollars of government debt.

“This holding of debt came from the printing of money,” Mascoll asserted.

The fact that the Bank prints money without having to seek the approval of Parliament, Mascoll said, is an issue that needs to be corrected via legislation. (RSM)