BARBADOS: Activities to mark the Child Care Board’s annual celebration of Child Month will begin next week under the theme: Celebrating Children: The Gems of Our Nation.
Beginning on Sunday, May 1, daily devotions will be broadcast on both radio and television.
From Tuesday, May 3, to Friday, May 6, Government’s day nurseries located in Zone 1 – the Delores ‘Ma’ Worrell, London Bourne and Joan Arundell Day Nurseries – will host their Open Day. Family members and friends are invited to visit between 10:00 a.m. and noon, and from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.
On Tuesday, May 3, at 7:30 p.m., there will be a lecture and panel discussion led by Professor Christine Barrow, entitled: Celebrating our Barbadian Families. The lecture, organised by the Anglican Diocese, will be held in Lecture Theatre 1, The University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus, St. Michael.
On Friday, May 6, Minister of Social Care, Constituency Empowerment and Community Development, Steven Blackett, will officially launch the month of activities at an Opening Gala. It will be held at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre, Two Mile Hill, St. Michael, from 9:30 a.m. to noon, under the patronage of the Governor-General, Sir Elliott Belgrave and Lady Belgrave.
Prime Minister Freundel Stuart, along with several Ministers of Government and other dignitaries, are expected to be in attendance, and will be treated to performances by some of the island’s primary and secondary students.
The following week, from Tuesday, May 10, to Friday, May 13, the Government Day Nurseries in Zone 2, those being the Farm, Grazettes, Nightingale and Madame Ifill day nurseries, will host their Open Day, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and between 3:00 and 5:00 p.m.
The Child Care Board will hold its Staff Club Variety Concert on Saturday, May 14, at the Barbados Workers’ Union, Solidarity House, Harmony Hall, St. Michael, from 7:00 p.m.
Parents whose charges attend Government Day Nurseries in Zone 3 – the Haynesville, Eden Lodge, Bagatelle and John Beckles day nurseries – will have their turn to visit when open days are held from Tuesday, May 17, to Friday, May 20, also from 10:00 a.m. to noon, and from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.
In addition, from Friday, May 20, to Tuesday, May 24, the Renew, Reuse, Recycle exhibition will begin at the Grand Salle, Central Bank, Church Village, St. Michael. It will run daily from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and the public can view recycled items made by the students of the Government day nurseries.
On Saturday, May 21, persons are also invited to attend a seminar promoting positive parenting entitled: Moving beyond food, clothes and shelter. It will be held in collaboration with the My Child and I Charity, at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre, Two Mile Hill, St. Michael, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
The following week, from Monday, May 23, to Friday, May 27, the Government Day Nurseries located in Zone 4 – the Geoffrey Morris, Colleton, Sayes Court and Marion Hall day nurseries – will host their Open Day, between 10:00 a.m. and noon and from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Also, on Friday, May 27, there will be a T20 Cricket Match between the Child Care Board and Carib Supply at the Dover Playing Field, Christ Church, from 7:00 p.m. The next day, Saturday, May 28, the Child Care Board, in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Barbados, will host a picnic at Browne’s Beach from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The same day, from noon to 7:00 p.m., the fair and fun day for private day care centres will be held at the Banks Grounds, Wildey, St. Michael. The month of activities will come to a close on Tuesday, May 31, with a Child Abuse Management Training Workshop, at the Savannah Hotel, Hastings, Christ Church, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
deirdre.gittens@barbados.gov.bb
Child Month Activities Begin Next Week
BADMC Committed To Building Links
BARBADOS: The Barbados Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation, (BADMC) remains committed to building linkages between local farmers, agro-processors, food manufacturers, distributors and consumers.
This was reaffirmed by Divisional Head of Agri-business of the BADMC, Ann-Marie King, during her welcome address at the opening of the new Carmeta’s Farm and Factory outlet, this morning at the Fairy Valley Plantation, Christ Church.
Mrs. King said that the BADMC’s mandate was to assist stakeholders within the sector to reach their full economic and social potential, and also allow consumers to purchase affordable, locally-produced products.
“Carmeta’s Farm and Factory Outlet will afford consumers convenient retail and wholesale access to fresh vegetables, meats and poultry supplied by Barbadian farmers, as well as an enticing selection of shelf-stable condiments, preserves, beverages and confectionary directly sourced from local agro-processors.
“The outlet’s offerings will be anchored by the Carmeta’s family of value- added foods innovated and manufactured by BADMC, all utilising locally-sourced commodity produce as their main ingredients,” she explained.
The new Carmeta’s outlet complements the other stores operated by the BADMC, including the Carmeta’s Retail Shop at Princess Alice Highway, Bridgetown; and Carmeta’s Liquor and Duty-Free at the Grantley Adams International Airport. Carmeta’s Farm and Factory will open Monday through Friday from 8:15 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and on Saturdays from 8:15 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
aisha.reid@barbados.gov.bb
$30m In Produce From BADMC Farmers
BARBADOS: Farmers who are a part of the Barbados Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (BADMC) generated approximately $30 million in primary produce in 2015.
This was revealed by Chief Executive Officer of the BADMC, Shawn Tudor, while delivering the feature address at the opening of the new Carmeta’s Farm and Factory outlet, this morning at the Fairy Valley Plantation, Christ Church.
The Chief Executive Officer said that the farmers work in the BADMC’s Land Lease and Irrigation programmes, as well as with its Agricultural Extension Services.
Stating that his organisation and the farmers were very proud of the revenue generated and its benefits to the economy, Mr. Tudor said that they were currently working towards producing more affordable, local, healthy products for consumers. He also pointed out that his organisation was linked to at least 50 per cent of the vegetable production on the island.
He explained that the BADMC had 13 irrigated districts located throughout the island, and that 648 farmers benefited from the programme.
“Last year, we actually pumped 528 million gallons of water for the farmers. We are mindful of the fact that the prolonged spell of low rainfall is taking the aquifers time to fill up, and we understand that there is only so much water still in the ground. So, we are working very closely with the Barbados Water Authority and we are at an advanced stage of talks with them about jointly looking at other sources of water,” he stated.
The Chief Executive Officer also pointed out that in 2015, the BADMC was able to employ an additional 30 individuals at its various locations, while continuing to increase revenue.
Carmeta’s Farm and Factory offers a variety of products, including flours and flour mixes, gluten-free baked goods, gluten-free sorbets, as well as a variety of fresh vegetables, meats, poultry, preserves and beverages, all supplied by Barbadian farmers and local agro-processors.
aisha.reid@barbados.gov.bb
Pay Attention To Labour Legislation
BARBADOS: Entrepreneurs and potential business people have been advised to pay attention to this country’s labour legislation.
Minister of Labour, Social Security and Human Resource Development, Senator Dr. Esther Byer Suckoo, said it was essential that entrepreneurs receive guidance from the Labour Department.
She made the comments today while addressing a two-day Caribbean Start Up Summit at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre.
Dr. Byer Suckoo told the participants: “In the last few years we had the Employment Rights Act passed, the Safety and Health At Work Act proclaimed, and we right now have on the Order Paper of Parliament a new Holidays with Pay Act, which I expect will be passed in the next few weeks…
“So don’t just go by [the words of] some older person who you know has been involved in business for a long time… Please call the Labour Department because there have been a lot of changes in labour law in just the last two or three years. Get guidance from the Labour Department …”
The Minister further disclosed that changes were coming very soon with respect to discrimination in the workplace and harassment, especially sexual harassment in the workplace.
Dr. Byer Suckoo also urged the entrepreneurs to register their businesses with the various government agencies, including the Barbados Revenue Authority and the National Insurance Scheme.
“If you have any employees, pay National Insurance for them and yourself… You are young now and you think that retirement is so far away that you do not have to think about it… Non-contributory pensions are being phased out and by the time you are ready for pension, you would have had to contribute to the National Insurance Scheme in order to get a contributory pension.
“Also, being up-to-date with your taxes and National Insurance can allow you to get those necessary clearance certificates so that you can bid for government contracts… You can’t get it [a government contract] if you don’t have the clearance certificate, which means you have to register with the Revenue Authority…,” she stressed.
Dr. Byer Suckoo stated that Government was committed to encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship in Barbados, as was evident in the millions of dollars invested in the human resource development strategy.
Acknowledging that education had helped the country thus far, she suggested that an environment must be provided for entrepreneurs to innovate and meet the demands of new global markets where Barbados must compete.
“We can’t just do the same things that we have done over the last 50 years; we have to do some new things and we can do them. We will not be daunted by those who say we are not capable of innovation…,” she declared.
She expressed the view that entrepreneurs must also create job opportunities for others, adding that Government could not provide employment for all its citizens.
sharon.austingill-moore@barbados.gov.bb
Monument Design Finalists To Be Announced
BARBADOS: The five finalists of the Barbados at 50 Monument Design Competition will be announced next week.
The finalists, chosen after Stage One of the competition, will be revealed during a ceremony on Tuesday, May 3, at the Officers Mess, Barbados Defence Force, St. Ann’s Fort, Garrison, St. Michael, at 10:00 a.m.
Chairman of the 50th Anniversary of Independence Celebrations Coordinating Committee, Senator Maxine McClean, will present participants with their prizes.
The Barbados at 50 Monument Design Competition was launched on February 3 by Prime Minister Freundel Stuart.
Its aim is to encourage Barbadian designers at home and abroad to design a 50th Anniversary of Independence monument which will be constructed at the Garrison Savannah.
The competition consists of five stages, with those selected from Stage One being invited to proceed to Stage Two. The winning design is expected to be chosen in June, and the monument completed by October 30.
kathyann.husbands@barbados.gov.bb
Bajan Team Heading To Cuba
BARBADOS: Now that diplomatic ties have been formally re-established between Cuba and the United States, Barbados is looking to add its name to the list of CARICOM countries attempting to enter the Cuban market.
From May 2 to 6, Industry Minister, Donville Inniss, along with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Barbados Investment and Development Corporation (BIDC), Sonja Trotman, will lead a team comprising Government and private sector officials on a political/commercial mission to the Spanish isle.
In an interview with the Barbados Government Service, Mrs. Trotman explained that the BIDC was targeting what it considered to be emerging markets, because even though it had negotiated trade agreements with countries such as Cuba, Barbados had not yet taken full advantage of these agreements.
“What we first did was conduct market research, identify some products and a process for going into Cuba, and we believe that we have great potential for some of our major exporters who are already exporting to some of our major markets,” she stated.
With some of the companies already registered and the process of exporting to Cuba completed, the BIDC head pointed out that her organisation and the delegation would be offering support to the sector.
“We believe that this initiative will kind of suggest or confirm to the Cuban business community that these are companies producing products worthy of support, and worthy of import. So, that is why we have agreed to support the exporters who have indicated an interest in Cuba by being there with them to present their products in the market.”
Explaining that the trip was being executed in collaboration with the Cuban Chamber of Commerce and Barbados’ Chargé d’affaires in Cuba, Donna Forde, Mrs. Trotman explained that the Chamber was facilitating all of the ground work.
“While in Cuba, they will be staging a seminar on Doing Business in Cuba, and what will be different about the seminar is that it will be specific to the producers who will be there. So, they will be able to interact and ask questions specific to their product. We will also have a product display where we will be showcasing all of the products that will be at the expo, and buyers will be able to come and ask questions, and see, taste and test the product,” she stated.
The CEO acknowledged that it was important when companies were going into new markets to take products that were tried, tested and established.
She added that companies which would have gone through the rigours of exporting into international markets were ideal, and they were taking to Cuba good examples of businesses that have the potential to succeed there because of their experience in exporting.
She also explained that one of the first things they hoped to achieve was to make Cuban buyers and the buying community aware of Barbados, and its source of very good product offerings.
“This is why we are doing the displays and having the testing. And for companies that are ready in terms of having completed the registration process…we are hoping that they can immediately start to export based on the interest that we are hoping we will get from this mission. The others will learn what they need to do, what other processes need to be completed, so that they too can successfully enter the Cuban market,” she said.
The CEO stated should BIDC undertake a second mission to Cuba, it would have Banks Breweries Limited as part of the group of companies going into Cuba. She stated that the company had indicated an interest in obtaining information with reference to its product and the BIDC would facilitate the process.
There will be two delegations going on the trip, a business delegation, which would consist of the companies that would be going to sell their products, and a Ministerial delegation, which would accompany Mr. Inniss on his meetings with his Cuban counterpart.
Meetings with the Cuban Trade Promotion Agency, which is similar to the BIDC; discussions with Cuba’s Chamber of Commerce; as well as the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the BIDC and the Cuban Chamber of Commerce to facilitate business in the future, will also be part of the agenda.
“I believe that in the group of companies accompanying us, there is great potential, and that relates to the fact that they are established companies. They understand what it means to export and have demonstrated a willingness to seek out new markets, and that is important, even if the market isn’t English-speaking.
“And, that is what we at the BIDC are trying to encourage to further push our manufacturers to break away from the North American market, and explore the Latin American market and other markets where there is potential. Persons look at the language as a barrier, but it isn’t, once you can engage the services required to help you,” she stressed.
Eight companies will be making the trip to Cuba. They are: Barbados’ leading biscuit company, WIBISCO; Caribbean Label Crafts, which is already a major exporter throughout the region and in some Spanish-speaking countries; McBride Caribbean, which specialises in household products such as insecticide; Automotive Art; Good Time Snacks Limited; Michael Greaves Associates, a logistics consulting firm; TORQUE-EPCM, an engineering company; and Roberts Manufacturing Co. Ltd.
theresa.blackman@barbados.gov.bb
Vaccination Week 2016
ST. LUCIA:
Sixty million people are set to benefit from vaccines during Vaccination Week in the Americas.
Countries and territories throughout the Western Hemisphere will reach out to some 60 million children and adults during Vaccination Week 2016 in the Americas, delivering vaccines against diseases like rubella, measles, diphtheria, mumps, whooping cough, neonatal tetanus, influenza, yellow fever, diarrhea caused by rotavirus, bacterial pneumonia, and human papilloma virus (HPV), among others.
The regional launch for Vaccination Week will take place in Kingston, Jamaica, with PAHO Director Carissa F. Etienne, followed by national and multinational launch events throughout the region. Vaccination Week also coincides with a worldwide switch to a new polio vaccine coordinated by WHO and its partners in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative.
Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt, who holds six Olympic gold medals and 11 world championships, is supporting this year’s Vaccination Week coordinated by the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO).
“Just as Olympians are committed to winning the gold, we are committed to making sure that you, your family and your friends are as healthy as possible,” said PAHO Director Carissa F. Etienne. “We invite you to get up to date on your vaccines during the 14th annual Vaccination Week in the Americas.”
Thirty-six countries and territories in the Americas are among the 155 worldwide that will participate in a global switchover from the traditional trivalent (targeting three viral strains) oral polio vaccine (tOPV) to the newer bivalent (targeting two strains) oral vaccine (bOPV), between April 17 and May 1. The global switch is being coordinated by WHO and its partners in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. The switch is possible because type 2 wild polio has been eradicated and is the first major step toward the eventual removal of all OPV.
Vaccines are one of public health’s most cost-effective prevention measures, and their widespread use in the Americas has led to major achievements such as the eradication of smallpox (1971) and the elimination of polio (1991) as well as rubella and congenital rubella syndrome (2015). Vaccination Week builds on these efforts by seeking to ensure that the benefits of vaccines reach communities that traditionally have lacked access to regular health services. These include indigenous and Afro-descendant communities, border populations and people living in remote or hard-to-reach areas.
In addition to vaccines, at least 21 countries and territories also plan to use Vaccination Week to promote other types of prevention. A particular focus will be on mosquito-control activities to prevent or respond to ongoing outbreaks of zika, dengue and chikungunya. Other complementary activities include de-worming, vitamin A supplementation, distribution of oral rehydration therapy, chronic disease and obesity screening, prenatal checks, dental health activities, childhood growth and development screening, work wellness and school health programming, and the vaccination of pets.
PAHO Director Carissa Etienne will travel to Kingston, Jamaica, for the regional launch of Vaccination Week. More than 400 people are expected to attend, including Jamaica’s minister of health and other government officials and representatives of PAHO partner organizations including the United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF), the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the Office of the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights (OHCHR), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other key partners.
Vaccination Week in the Americas started in 2003 as part of a regional response to an outbreak of measles in the Americas, which took place between Venezuela and Colombia in 2002. Building on a long tradition of strong national immunization programs in the Americas, the ministers of health of the Andean countries proposed the idea of a coordinated international immunization initiative. Since its inception, Vaccination Week has become a key driver of progress in immunization in the Americas and a yearly opportunity to highlight the essential work of national immunization programs.
Other WHO regions took inspiration from the success of Vaccination Week and began their own initiatives during the past decade, efforts that eventually led to the creation of World Immunization Week in 2012.
Vaccination Week 2016 is held from April 23-30.
Administrative Professionals Day – Administrative Professional Committee Celebration – April 27, 2016
ST. LUCIA: Memos and Letters Training Workshop
The Administrative Professionals Committee [APC] of the Ministry of Infrastructure, Port Services and Transport which was established in September 2015, today held a training in Memo and Letters Training Workshop in observance of Administrative Professional Day 2016. The training is opportune at this time given that this day dedicated to all Administrative Professionals and Secretaries in recognition of their contribution to the organization.
The Training is facilitated by Mrs. Juliette Courer- SevenSeals, Human Resource Officer at the Ministry of Education, Human Resource and Labour:
The main objective of the Committee is to identify methods to build each members skills and improve overall performance in the work place. The training therefore seeks to develop and build on the skills of the Secretaries at the Ministry and to provide quality service to customers.
Belize Welcomes Commonwealth Secretary General
BELIZE: Belmopan. April 28, 2016. The Government of Belize and people of Belize extend a warm welcome to our fellow Dominican national Baroness Patricia Janet Scotland, Secretary General of the Commonwealth.
Baroness Scotland is visiting Belize as a first stop in her official tour to the Commonwealth Caribbean since taking office on April 1, 2016. She arrived today in Belize and will be staying until Monday, May 1st. During her stay, the Secretary General will be meeting with the Prime Minister of Belize Right Honourable Dean Barrow and other senior members of the Government of Belize. She will also take the opportunity to visit the Office of the Organization of American States (OAS) in the Adjacency Zone, where she will be received by the Chief of the OAS Fund for Peace.
Baroness Scotland has a distinguished career as an attorney, educator, and public officer. At the age of 35 she was the first black woman to become a Queen’s Counsel. In 2007 she was appointed Attorney General in the United Kingdom, making it the first time a woman held that post since it was created in 1315.
Baroness Scotland has always been a friend of Belize. Belize maintains historic and close ties with the Commonwealth’s membership of fifty-three independent states, which are united in promoting the common goals of development, democracy and peace. The strength of the Commonwealth lies in its shared values of diversity. Its membership includes countries of different sizes and stages of development from various regions of the world, including the Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Pacific.
Procurement of Bailey Bridges
ST. LUCIA: The Ministry of Infrastructure, Port Services and Transport (MIPST) with the assistance of the World Bank under the Disaster Vulnerability Reduction Project (DVRP) has procured approximately 300 meters of Bailey Bridges, which translate to almost fifteen (15) bridges.
They arrived in St Lucia on the 12th April 2016, and are presently being kept at the Ministry of Infrastructure, Port Services and Transport, Vieux Fort Compound.
The bridges were supplied by 3S Bridges LCC, a company based in Barbados at a cost to the Government of Saint Lucia US$1 422 860.00.
One can recall that the December 2013 trough left the West Coast disconnected from the rest of the island due to the loss of two main bridges namely the Canaries and Piaye Bridges. The Ministry of Infrastructure, Port Services and Transport (MIPST) was able, in less than two weeks, to reconnect the island to full vehicular access bringing the country to a state of normalcy. This was possible because the Government of Saint Lucia and by extension MIPST had procured bailey bridges prior to the December 2013 Trough which allowed for quick response in erecting the two bridges in record time. Government was also able to assist sister island St. Vincent and the Grenadines in their hour of need with approximately 100 meters of bailey bridges.
