News from Barbados:
Second Rihanna concert on the cards for Barbados
May 22, 2013
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (BGIS) -- Another major event similar to the 2011 “Loud” concert featuring Barbadian international recording star Rihanna at Kensington Oval is being planned for Barbados in the fall. Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Richard Sealy, said...
Economic development possible when there is no growth, says Barbados PM
May 20, 2013
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (BGIS) -- It is possible to have economic development when no growth is taking place, said Prime Minister Freundel Stuart last Wednesday as he delivered the feature address at the Barbados launch of the UNDP's Human Development Report 2013.
Commentary: Tourism Matters: A few rays of sunshine on the horizon
May 20, 2013
There is a very fine line when writing a column like this. The risk of being branded as a pessimist is high. I only hope that readers will focus on the message that I am trying to convey and perhaps apply some of the content objectively to look at issues in a broader, more holistic way. When I heard the minister of tourism recently predict...
Economy at forefront for Barbados government
May 17, 2013
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (BGIS) -- The government of Barbados is leaving no stone unturned in its quest to put the island’s economy back on a path of prosperity, said minister of industry, international business, commerce and small business development, Donville Inniss.
Small business development in Barbados to be transformed
May 17, 2013
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (BGIS) -- The way small business development is conducted in Barbados will soon be revolutionised, according to industry minister, Donville Inniss, who revealed that plans are afoot to transform the small business sector into one that is more vibrant...
Regional body launches climate change project
May 16, 2013
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad -- The European Union has given a grant of 8.6 million euros to support a regional project to improve Caribbean food security in the context of climate change. The project, which was being introduced and coordinated in a two-day session in Trinidad, is being conducted in four...
LIAT to replace ageing fleet
May 15, 2013
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (BGIS) -- Regional carrier LIAT, is currently negotiating a US$60 million loan with the Caribbean Development Bank, to assist with the replacement of its ageing Dash 8 fleet with modern ATR72 aircraft from July. Chairman of the LIAT shareholder governments and...
Trinidad airline fuel subsidy 'subversive', says new legal opinion
May 14, 2013
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (BGIS) -- A new legal opinion says that the fuel subsidy paid by the Trinidad government to Caribbean Airlines is not only "subversive of several provisions" of the Revised Treaty of Chaguramas, but also the CARICOM...
Demand reduction one of the biggest challenges in drug fight, says Barbados AG
May 14, 2013
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (BGIS) -- The war against drugs will continue if those involved do not have an alternative means of feeding their families, Barbados Attorney General Adriel Brathwaite stressed during a recent courtesy call by secretary general...
Commentary: Tourism Matters: Is there more we can do?
May 14, 2013
Short of a miracle and/or a radical change in the way we do business, it appears we have headed into one of the most challenging tourism summers in recent history, hot on the heels of a poor winter. With still no game changing strategies, other than one or two tinkering offerings on the horizon, is there more ‘we’...
WICB congratulates champions Barbados
May 14, 2013
KINGSTON, Jamaica -- President of the West Indies Cricket Board Dave Cameron has congratulated the Barbados team on winning the Regional 4-Day Tournament. Barbados clinched their 21st regional first-class title on Saturday on home soil.
Springer celebrates Barbados character, Ramdin looks to the future
May 13, 2013
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados -- Hendy Springer hailed the character of his side after Barbados clinched their 21st regional first-class title on Saturday here. The Barbados coach was speaking after Javon Searles ushered the home team to....
Cummins says West Indies High Performance Centre experience was vital
May 11, 2013
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados -- Miguel Cummins hailed his time spent at the Sagicor West Indies High Performance Centre for helping to transform his bowling. Barbados’ top-order batting built on a platform provided by the 22-year-old fast bowler.
Caribbean Premier League announces schedule for inaugural tournament
May 11, 2013
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados -- The schedule for the inaugural Caribbean Premier League (CPL) tournament has been announced by CPL organisers and, as expected, matches will be played in six franchise countries – Antigua and Barbuda...
Influence of money in elections increasing, says Barbados PM
May 10, 2013
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (BGIS) -- The role of money in election campaigns nowadays has increased exponentially, to the point where large numbers of voters have become accustomed to a variety of goods and services being provided.
A bright future for cruise tourism in Barbados, says minister
May 10, 2013
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (BGIS) -- The future is looking bright for the cruise tourism sector in Barbados with the return of the Royal Caribbean's Jewel of the Seas this summer and promises of other lines in the future. Minister of tourism and international transport...
Barbados business community urged to recognise economic potential of film and video
May 8, 2013
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (BGIS) -- A call has gone out to the business community to invest in the emerging Barbadian film and video industry. Minister of culture, sports and youth, Stephen Lashley, made this appeal during his feature address...
Tourism stakeholders in Barbados to establish hotel innovation fund
May 8, 2013
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (BGIS) -- Stakeholders in the tourism sector in Barbados will meet shortly with officials to design a hotel innovation fund. This disclosure came from minister of finance and economic affairs, Christopher Sinckler, last Friday.
Letter: Recognition, justice, development
May 8, 2013
On Friday, May 3, 2013, civil society organisations met at Regency Cove Hotel in Christ Church and formed the Civil Society Reparations Commission (CSRC) Barbados under the chairmanship of hotelier Mr Hal Martin, who represents the...
OAS organises forum on political financing in the Caribbean
May 7, 2013
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados -- The Organization of American States (OAS) will organize, together with the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), a forum to strengthen the regulation of political parties.
Growing cost of regional health care highlighted by Barbados opposition leader
May 6, 2013
KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) -- Leader of the opposition in Barbados, Mia Mottley, says health care has become one of the largest growing expenditures in budgets in the Caribbean region. "Caribbean governments will have to confront this reality...
Commentary: Tourism Matters: Are there any lessons we can learn?
May 6, 2013
Recently published online by Caribbean News Now, hotelier Rob Barrett, the CEO and operator of three hotels on Antigua -- St James Club, Galley Bay and Verandah Resort and Spa -- announced some very encouraging news. “The first quarter of 2013...
Hotel group expands Caribbean presence with opening of Barbados resort
May 3, 2013
MINNEAPOLIS, USA -- Radisson, one of the world’s best-recognized hotel brands, has announced the opening of the Radisson Aquatica Resort Barbados, set on picturesque Carlisle Bay. The resort recently completed an $8 million renovation.
Letter: Human rights and justice prevail
May 2, 2013
Is Barbados a champion of human rights and justice by design or by manipulation? The international law that governs the principle of human rights and justice has placed Barbados into the world’s spotlight. The government and people have...
Letter: Reminder: Barbados NGO Reparations Commission
May 2, 2013
A “Barbados NGO Reparations Commission” will be established on Friday, May 3, 2013 at 6.00.pm at the Regency Cove Hotel on Hastings Main Road in Christ Church. The fact that the government of Barbados has established a Reparations...
Great expectations as Roach returns to boost Bajans
May 2, 2013
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados -- Barbados coach Hendy Springer is hoping the return of fast bowler Kemar Roach will have a major impact for his side when they face the Windward Islands in the all-important semi-final of the WICB Regional...
Caribbean resort investors fear for their homes
April 30, 2013
LONDON, England -- British investors in the financially troubled multi-million dollar Caribbean investment firm Harlequin Property are afraid they could lose tens of thousands of dollars and even their own homes after Harlequin’s sales division...
Medium-term fiscal strategy has not failed, says Barbados minister
April 29, 2013
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (BGIS) -- The government of Barbados does not believe its medium-term fiscal strategy (MTFS) has failed although, at a press conference last week, minister of finance and economic affairs, Christopher Sinckler...
Barbados and Sweden to explore deeper ties
April 29, 2013
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (BGIS) -- Matters relating to tourism, alternative energy and transportation were among the areas discussed when Sweden's ambassador to Barbados, Claes Hammar, paid a courtesy call on the acting minister...
Alternative energy sector vital for Barbados, says minister
April 29, 2013
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (BGIS) -- The government of Barbados has reiterated that it is moving with haste to build out the island's alternative energy sector now that the policy framework is in place. Minister of Finance and Economic...
Barbados unveils new tourism initiative
April 29, 2013
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados -- Barbados will spend $11 million dollars on a new initiative intended to boost its tourism industry. The extraordinary measures outlined in the plan caught the attention of Totally Barbados, which is committed...
Commentary: Tourism Matters: Something has to be fundamentally wrong
April 29, 2013
Perhaps more than many, I can totally empathise with those individuals who have recently seen their businesses either fail or come dangerously close to insolvency. In 47 years, it has happened to me twice and in both cases they were largely external forces.
Barbados AG concerned about US report on child prostitution
April 26, 2013
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (BGIS) -- Attorney General Adriel Brathwaite has expressed concern over the accuracy of a United States report that suggests that underage children in Barbados were engaging in prostitution.
Barbados government committed to strengthening financial services sector
April 26, 2013
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (BGIS) -- The government is committed to maintaining and strengthening Barbados's role as a leading financial services centre. This assurance came this week from Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, Christopher Sinckler.
Barbados hosts public and private sector consultation on CSME
April 26, 2013
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (BGIS) -- Barbados values the deepened regional integration process and has been a committed participant in the government procurement deliberations at the regional level. This was underscored by parliamentary...
Sports tourism niche vital for Barbados development, says government
April 26, 2013
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (BGIS) -- Tourism officials are looking to build on the existing sports culture and tourism infrastructure in Barbados to solidify the island’s stake in the growing sports tourism niche. Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism...
Barbados making strides in detecting human trafficking cases
April 25, 2013
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (BGIS) -- The recent arrest of two people involved in a human trafficking ring, which also saw five others between the ages of 17 and 21 being rescued is proof that Barbados is making strides in addressing the issue.
Troubled Caribbean resort firm applies for administration
April 24, 2013
LONDON, England -- The financially troubled multi-million dollar Caribbean investment firm Harlequin Property has applied for its sales arm to go into administration. The business, run by the Ames family in Britain, blames negative publicity.
Drug treatment court to attack the root of drug problem in Barbados
April 24, 2013
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (BGIS) -- The establishment of a drug treatment court will not solve Barbados's drug problems, but it will assist the country in attacking the source. According to attorney general and minister of home affairs, Adriel Brathwaite...
Barbados and Israel to build stronger relations
April 24, 2013
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (BGIS) -- Barbados and Israel have vowed to build even stronger relations. Attorney General Adriel Brathwaite and Israel's ambassador to Barbados, Amiram Magid, made this pledge during a courtesy call at...
