News

The Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) Unit of the CARICOM Secretariat has released the latest issue of its newsletter, the EPA Implementation Bulletin. The March-April edition marks the Unit’s second release for 2012.

Features include an examination of current ACP-EU relations by Her Excellency, Shirley Skerritt-Andrew, the Ambassador, Embassies of the Eastern Caribbean States (ECS) to the Kingdom of Belgium and Missions to the European Union and Chairperson of the ACP Committee of Ambassadors on behalf of St. Lucia.

Please click to read the latest EPA Implementation Bulletin.

Invest Barbados has launched its fourth podcast with a focus on the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector in Barbados. Panelists Dr. Erwin Edwards, CEO of Atoms Solutions Incorporated and Michael Forde, President of Next Level Information Services discuss "ICT as an Engine for Growth" within the context of the Barbados environment. Panelists made a call for increased training and incentives for the ICT sector.

The advent of mobile applications and technologies were advanced as key trends driving the way business is done. In addition the concept of Social Indexing was suggested as a new tool, positively impacting the formulation and design of web pages.

Bajan musician signs publishing deal for German market

BRIDGETOWN, BARBADOS (April 17, 2012)--Following his participation at MIDEM 2012, Barbadian musician Andre Woodvine has signed a co-publishing deal with German company “The Audio Factory”. The company, which is involved in both music production and the promotion of music for licensing, signed the agreement with the artiste coming out of meetings at the recently held MIDEM. Woodvine attended MIDEM as a part of the Barbados delegation of 7 music entrepreneurs led and funded by Invest Barbados in January 2012.

The agreement is the beginning of what will be an ongoing relationship with The Audio Factory. Woodvine explained that the copyright of his 34 original compositions would be assigned to the company for exclusive use in Germany. The Audio Factory will represent his interests by including his music in its catalogue, which is viewed by radio, television and advertising personnel seeking music for inclusion in their projects.

Barbados has created history by becoming the first country in Latin America to undertake and complete a Green Economy Scoping Study (GESS).
 
The findings of that study were officially handed over to Prime Minister Freundel Stuart, on March 28, 2012 during the Caribbean Green Economy Forum at the Almond Beach Village.

Speaking during the official ceremony, Minister of the Environment and Drainage, Dr. Denis Lowe, M.P, said the completion of the study was not the end of the journey, but another step along the way.

He added the study unearthed many useful opportunities for future collaboration which would be discussed during the two-day forum, hosted by Government and the University of the West Indies in association with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

"I eagerly look forward to the next phases of our work on the green economy," Dr. Lowe said, giving the assurance that his ministry would apply the same level of enthusiasm and dedication to further work to be done in the area as efforts are made to move Barbados closer to a green economy.

According to the GESS Synthesis Report, Barbados' transition to a green economy offers opportunities for further diversifying its economy, increasing resource efficiency and supporting the goals of poverty reduction and sustainable development.

The study also pointed out that there are tremendous opportunities for greening agriculture, fisheries, building/housing, transportation and tourism.

Forty year old attorney-at-law, Verla De Peiza, was sworn in today as Barbados' newest Senator. She took the Oath of Allegiance before Acting Governor-General, Elliot Belgrave, in a short ceremony at Government House.

Senator De Peiza has been a practising lawyer since October 2000 and is currently a candidate for Christ Church West.

She is a former pupil of Harrison College and attended Queen Mary, University of London as well as the University of Southampton.

The ceremony was witnessed by the Governor General's Private Secretary Patricia Layne.

The Barbados' Best Employers (BBE) Award Programme 2012 was launched by Caribbean Catalyst Inc. on February 16, 2012 at the Courtyard Marriott Hotel.

The launch, by way of a press conference, was attended by finalists of the BBE 2010 programme and representatives of various business associations and the Barbados Workers' Union.

Rosalind Jackson, Managing Director of Caribbean Catalyst Inc., reiterated the company’s commitment to BBE as a biennial programme focused on highlighting and improving national productivity and organisational profitability through promoting continuous improvement of people practices in local organisations – both public and private sector. Mrs. Jackson encouraged the participation of firms in these sectors including NGOs and statutory corporations.

The programme takes the format of interviews with designated management representatives from participating companies and augmenting these results will be an organisational survey in the following areas:

· Culture

· Employee Communications

· Performance Management / Recognition

· Work Environment

· Work Life Balance

· Community Involvement

· Development & Career Opportunities

· Compensation & Benefits

An award will be presented in each of the following categories:

· Small companies (25 or less staff)

· Medium companies (26 to 150 staff)

· Large companies (over 150 staff)

Applications close on March 8, 2012.

Application forms and the information booklet are available on Caribbean Catalyst Inc.’s website - www.caribbeancatalyst.com, as well as on the Nation’s website - www.nationnews.com.

Plans are under way for a new state-of-the art reference laboratory to be built in Barbados.

Minister of Health, Donville Inniss, made this disclosure, while speaking at the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Regional Office Partners' Meeting at the Hilton Barbados.

"...Recently, my ministry has entered an agreement with the United States Government to build a lab here in Barbados. This new reference laboratory will provide needed support to Barbados and other countries in the region," he explained.

Minister Inniss lauded the CDC for its work in responding to various health challenges such as HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and H1N1.

"I have noted that a major cross cutting theme of CDC's work in the region is Health Systems Strengthening (HSS) which speaks to sustainability and development. In addition to augmenting laboratory services, there are other examples of this, which include: The Caribbean Health Leadership Institute program in collaboration with the University of the West Indies and building capacity in health research...," the Minister added.

The Health Minister also addressed the challenges the Caribbean faced with maintaining and improving its response to HIV/AIDS, while adequately addressing other pressing public health concerns with limited financial resources.

Explaining that incidences of HIV were on the decline, with a 14 per cent reduction in the number of new HIV cases over the period 2001 to 2009, and a 43 per cent reduction in the number of deaths due to HIV, the Minister, nevertheless, pointed out that the disease still continued to pose a socio-economic threat to our society, as it remains the leading cause of death among adults between the ages of 20-59.

He explained that the HIV/AIDS programme incurred costs in excess of $1.8 billion (USD) over the past decade, and contended that this current response was not sustainable economically. "The moment is now to further mitigate HIV's impact, while augmenting the wider health system to ensure sustainability," he concluded.

Over the next two days participants at the meeting will discuss a wide range of regional health issues, including: Priority HIV and AIDS Interventions; What CDC can do to support countries and partners; sustaining an effective national and regional HIV/AIDS response; and Management of Cooperative Agreements.

Minister of Culture, Stephen Lashley, described the one-day consultation on the Cultural Industries Development Bill, which took place on Saturday, February 25, 2012 as very successful.

Mr. Lashley said he was "very impressed" with the attendance of the stakeholders in the cultural industries sector. He also noted that the level of participation was extremely high and the feedback coming from the stakeholders regarding the relevance of the consultation was good.

"... We received a lot of recommendations and several of them will assist in improving the draft Cultural Industries Development Bill. This piece of legislation will redound to the benefit of the cultural industries sector which government is seeking to invigorate," he stated.

During the opening ceremony for the consultation, which was held at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre, Minister Lashley argued that the proposed legislation "sends the clearest signal to date that we have dragged our feet for too long". He also stressed however, that "it should also send a clear signal to you that you need to get serious about your business ventures in the creative sector".

He pointed out that the creative sector remained one of the most resilient to recessions and times of disaster and assured his audience that government would "stay the course" with them so as to ensure the sector realised its full potential.

Minister Lashley said it was unfortunate that in spite of the proven immense talent and potential within this emerging sector, some people were not according it the importance it deserved. "I do believe that tackling unemployment, especially among our youth, depends greatly on how we position the creative sector," he suggested.

The Minister of Culture indicated that since 2000 the creative economy was worth $2.2 trillion and was growing at a rate of five per cent annually. But, he noted that the old economic model of depending almost exclusively on foreign direct inflows for survival had not worked in Barbados.

"We clearly need to try new things and have new visions if we are to have sustainable economic growth. My view is that a crucial part of that new focus must be on the creative sector," he said.

Acknowledging that this island was fast becoming a venue of choice for some of the world's wealthiest movie makers, he pointed out that there were some brilliant young entrepreneurs here who were capable of making successful movies. "The Government is closely looking to this sector as a key source of new opportunities for our youth. We are hard at work establishing a Films Commission to intensify our efforts in this exciting area of audio-visual," he disclosed.

Mr. Lashley contended that the Bill would represent a turning point in the businesses of cultural practitioners and the role that sector would play in the country's economic development.

The Pride of Barbados newsletter Winter 2011 edition is available to readers. The newsletter, a product of Team Barbados at New York, provides insights into the work of the team as well as into events and happenings of interest to the Barbadian Diaspora. 

The Winter edition opens with a message from Consul General the Honourable Lennox O Price and features a range of stories including articles on Barbadian centenarians living in the US and the recent visit made to New York by Prime Minister the Honourable Freundel Stuart.

Please click docs/Pride%20of%20Barbados%20Winter%202011.pdf  to access the newsletter.

 
Preparations for the second biennial diaspora conference, officially known as the Barbados Network Consultation 2012, are fully on stream and gathering momentum.

Barbadians and Barbadian descendents residing in Canada and the United States as well as Cuba, Venezuela and Brazil got an opportunity to exchange ideas and suggestions with Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon. Maxine McClean, via video and tele-conference on Monday, January 23rd, 2012. Following this the focus shifted across the Atlantic on Tuesday, January 24th, with Barbadians and Barbadian descendents residing in the United Kingdom and Europe having the opportunity to engage Minister McClean on the conference.

The use of modern communications technology in the offices of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, afforded participants residing in such places as Ottawa, Toronto, Boston, New Jersey,  New York, Washington D.C, Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Central Florida, Atlanta, Houston, California, Havana, Caracas, Brasilia, London, Geneva and Brussels, the opportunity to help shape the conference programme by providing suggestions on critical topics for discussions, the format for the sessions, final deliverables and possible educational, community and social activities.

Minister McClean stated that her interface with the Barbadian Diaspora is a critical aspect of Barbados’ preparation for the Barbados Network Consultation 2012.

She assured the diaspora that every attempt would be made to incorporate their recommendations into the conference programme to ensure that the BNC 2012 is informative, interesting and beneficial to the participants. Minister McClean also stated that she anticipated a conference that would provide the “market space” to create maximum opportunity for interaction between participants, together with hands-on workshops featuring fresh and dynamic presentations and one which serves as a spring board for an effective network in the service of Barbados’ development.

Plans are proceeding apace with the Planning Committee for the conference, chaired by Minister McClean, having met in early January as well as some of the working groups charged with looking at various aspects of the conference. These working groups comprise members of “Team Barbados” including representatives of the Barbados Tourism Authority,  Invest Barbados, the Barbados Investment and Development Corporation, private sector representatives as well as staff of several Ministries and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to name a few.

Online registration for the conference is expected to be launched within the coming weeks and conference planners are exploring the possibility of special airline and hotel packages for participants.

Barbados’ overseas Missions, in conjunction with the various Barbadian organizations, continue to play a crucial role in generating ideas and in getting the word out to the Barbadian communities and Minister McClean has commended them for their enthusiastic response and urged that they use every means at their disposal to help us make this conference a success.

The conference will be held at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre from August 2nd to August 10th. It is expected to  attract approximately 1,000 participants.

For more details please contact the mission near you.

The Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) Unit of the CARICOM Secretariat has released the joint third and fourth issues of its flagship newsletter, the EPA Implementation Bulletin. The issue is a special release as it marks the third anniversary of the signing of the CARIFORUM-EU EPA.

Features include a state-of-play of EPA related Services and Investment implementation issues and an interview with Senator the Honourable Maxine McClean, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Barbados and CARIFORUM High Representative to the First Meeting of the Joint Council under the EPA. Senator McClean reports on the outcomes of the meeting. 

Please click to read the latest EPA Implementation Bulletin.

The January edition of the Network Connection newsletter has been launched. Profiling the music and entertainment industry, highlights of Invest Barbados’ third and just released podcast are provided as well as a look at the upcoming MIDEM show, in which Barbadian music and entertainment industry professionals will be participating.

Other features of the newsletter include:

• The Barbados-Panama Connection
• Opportunities for Barbadian Goods and Services Explored in Panama and Costa Rica
• “Did You Know?” : a section of interesting facts about Barbados

Click to access the January edition of Network Connection. 

Music the focus in 3rd Network Barbados Podcast

Invest Barbados has released the third Network Barbados podcast themed: "Export Readiness and the Entertainment Industry in Barbados."

Five noted professionals in the entertainment industry were invited to form the discussion panel: Sonia Mullins, CEO of Sonic Entertainment; Kirk Brown, Founder and CEO of Savvy Jamz Inc; Tennille Doyle, Music Entrepreneur and CEO of Made in March Records and Founder of the Caribbean Music Awards Foundation Inc.; Michael Agard, Managing Director of Krosfyah and Andrew Daniel, CEO of Breema Entertainment.

The panel outlined the existing opportunities available in Barbados, highlighting Rihanna's success and her impact on local music, examining the critical needs of the Barbados music industry and discussing whether international labels were the only means for success of local artistes. The panelists spoke on the MIDEM music conference held in France, evaluating how attendance at such events would be of benefit to local stakeholders.

This third addition to the Network Barbados podcast series can be accessed here.

Fellow Barbadians,

It is that time of the year again when we pause to reflect on our independence.  This year we celebrate 45 years of nationhood.  Peculiar to this year's celebration is that it comes a mere 42 days before the 360th anniversary of the signing of the Charter of Barbados in 1652.  The signing of that Charter climaxed our first attempt to declare ourselves independent only 25 years after the English had settled this island.

Significant in this 45th year also, is the fact that, for the first time in 15 years, Sir Clifford Husbands will not be part of our celebrations in the capacity of Governor General.  I have elsewhere conveyed my thanks to Sir Clifford for the outstanding public service he rendered to Barbados.  On this occasion, I place on record the debt of gratitude we owe to him for so discharging the functions of his office as to raise our nation's gaze to impressive and very challenging horizons.  We wish him well in a richly deserved retirement.

Not to be ignored in our 45th year also, is the fact that the world in which Barbados has to do its business continues to be beset by challenges social, political, and economic which are both unprecedented in scope and startling in reverberation.

We have all been witnessing with dismay the dramatic and, very often, traumatic events unfolding in North Africa, events which have won for themselves the label "Arab Spring".  We have seen dictators hounded from office by an explosion of popular power and  protest with consequential loss of life for civilians and, in one case, for a leader himself.

By way of contrast, though not too sharp a contrast, in the Eurozone, we have been witnesses to the continued decline in the economic fortunes of countries on that continent.  That decline has led to the voluntary surrender of office by two leaders, those of Greece and Italy, and  has dimmed the hopes of thousands of households for a better quality of life.  Thousands of young and not so young people, feeling threatened by this seemingly unstoppable decline, have been taking to and occupying the streets in eloquent appeals for an economic and social system that distributes burdens and benefits more fairly.

In all of this, the most powerful country in the world, the United States of America, continues to be bedevilled by debt, deficit and unemployment.

It is tempting, is it not, to ask, "is there no good news anywhere?"

Here in Barbados, with a services economy, propelled largely by tourism, international business and foreign capital inflows, we have not been left unaffected.  After all, our tourists come from abroad, our international business sector depends on attracting business from abroad, and foreign capital inflows are "foreign" because they have to come from abroad.

We have had to face serious challenges in all three of these areas over the past year, with predictable consequences for our foreign exchange earnings, government revenues, and the creation of new employment opportunities.

Faced with these daunting challenges, the pride and industry of Barbadians have not faltered.  Ours has always been "a pride that makes no wanton boast of what it has withstood."

The government, therefore, has held fast to its commitment to protect jobs in the public sector; and our private sector, operating under enormous pressure and in very difficult circumstances, has been keeping faith with the population in that regard.  Our Trade Unions have been impressive examples of social responsibility.

Fellow Barbadians, the outlook for the world economy in the year 2012 is not bright.  We are hearing dismal forecasts from our international financial institutions and from the International Labour Organisation.  Here in Barbados, therefore, it cannot be business as usual.  We must meet, with confidence and determination, the challenges that are facing us.

As Prime Minister, I accept that government must set both the tone and the example in any meaningful national response.  I bear in mind that government is the largest procurer of goods and services in the country and that the maintenance of jobs in the private sector is linked  to that fact.  That is no excuse, though, for the wastage so often evident in our Ministries and Statutory Boards.  Every attempt will therefore be made to eliminate this scourge.

Barbados cannot afford to respond to present challenges by disengaging from the world and retiring into itself.  We have to be alert to the existence of opportunities we may exploit for the nation's benefit.  Our voice must still be raised in the councils of the world with a view to influencing the course of events.

In that context, I will continue to approve ministerial and public service travel, only if I am satisfied that a clear link exists between  that  travel  and the  achievement of our national goals. Put frankly, government's overall expenditure will be even more closely monitored and, where necessary, appropriate discipline will continue to be imposed.

I call on members of the public to exercise a little more restraint  than  has,  up to  now, been  evident  during  this economic downturn.   You have wants and you have needs.  We can do without our wants; we should not be expected to do without our needs.  Place emphasis for yourselves and your children on what you need.   Put on hold, unless you can afford them without inconvenience, the things you just want but can do without.

I have the fullest confidence in your sense of responsibility.

We very often discover much of the hidden creativity we have within us  during  times  of  great sacrifice and challenge.  Look inward and draw upon those creative reserves that lie hidden there.

Nothing I have said to you is intended to suggest that a long, dark, unending night lies ahead of us.  This global downturn, like all those before it, will come to an end.  But until it comes to an end, we have to be responsible; we have to be prudent; we have to be thrifty.

In any event, in all of this, we can take comfort from the fact that:

"The Lord has been the people's guide for past three hundred years

With Him still on the people's side, we have no doubts or fears

Upward and onward we shall go

Inspired, exulting, free

And greater will our nation grow

In strength and unity."

Happy Independence to you all.

A “new normal” in global finance and business is needed. This was the just one of the ideas put forward by the Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs Christopher Sinckler, when he delivered the feature address of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Barbados (ICAB)’s 18th Annual Conference.  This year’s conference focussed on ‘Building the New Economy’.

In setting out his thoughts on the way forward for Barbados, the Minister identified the need for “a more balanced, responsive and creative economy”. Several areas were highlighted as having the potential to move the country towards such a position. Taking the traditional economic sectors of tourism and international business, he emphasised the need to improve the current way in which the country operates. 

To assist with doing so, a National Business Facilitation Council, to be chaired by the Prime Minister, will be put in place by January 2012. It is expected that the Council will develop new protocols for engagement between the public and private sectors and oversee an overhaul of key agencies such as the Immigration, Customs and Town Planning Departments by 2015.

Regarding emerging sectors, cultural industries, sporting activities and alternative energy were touted as key in building the new economy. Frameworks for advancing the cultural industries and alternative energy have been completed and the Government expects to shortly sign a loan from the Inter-American Development Bank to assist in developing incentives and legislation for the latter sector.

For the cultural industries, Minister Sinckler informed those present that the Ministry of Family, Culture, Sports and Youth would soon be meeting with stakeholders to discuss the use of the $50 million investment allocated in the 2011 Budgetary Proposals. It is expected that the first $10 million will be disbursed in the second quarter of the upcoming financial year, 2012-2013. This, he stated, would carve out new opportunities for designers, musicians and those in the culinary arts.

Minister of Health Donville Inniss has encouraged Barbados’ medical fraternity to develop a culture of research. Speaking at the beginning of the recently held 11th Annual Professor E. R. Walrond Scientific Symposium, Minister Inniss emphasised that research is critical in developing solutions to critical health issues including those impacting the quality of life in the Caribbean.

"We believe foreign nations and foreign nationals must do the research and we will buy their products and services. I dare say that such notions must be relegated to the dustbin of ancient management practices if we are to truly move our society forward in a sustainable manner. Whether it be in manufacturing, medicine, management or any other area, the Caribbean must, as a matter of urgency, cultivate a research culture - this is one major ways in which we can open new frontiers."

In addressing the audience, the Minister highlighted the importance of the Chronic Disease Research Centre in Barbados pursuing such a culture. He indicated that Government’s support of the institution is fuelled by the belief that its work will help the country deliver cost-effective but efficient treatment to Barbadians living with chronic diseases. He praised the work of the Centre in the areas of diabetes, cancer, eye disease and wounds, and encouraged those present to "continue to think outside of the box, to challenge our traditional way of doing things and to find innovative solutions to our complex challenges".

The region’s spa and wellness professionals met recently in Dominica in an effort to move closer to developing regional industry standards. The symposium, the latest undertaking in the Caribbean Export Development Agency (CEDA) led project to advance the sector, was held in association with UKAid and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).

The two day symposium brought together representatives from the Caribbean Spa and Wellness Association (C-SWA), practitioners from across the region and industry experts. President of C-SWA Mr. Steve Andrews represented the regional association. Barbados was in turn represented by Business Development Officer at Invest Barbados, Mr. Marc Ifill and Ms. Amy LeMay of Earth Mother Botanicals. Also taking part were the CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ), the regional body responsible for developing and promoting industry standards and the Thai Spa Association, represented by its President, Andrew Jacka.

The symposium provided a mix of insightful presentations including international best practices, a report from the consultant to the project and roundtable discussions.

The Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) Unit of the CARICOM Secretariat has launched the first edition of its flagship newsletter, the EPA Implementation Bulletin. On releasing the newsletter to the public, the Unit described it as “an effort to provide authoritative news, rigorous and original analysis and expert views on the CARIFORUM-EU EPA and its implementation”.

Features include an interview with Senator the Honourable Maxine McClean, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Barbados and CARIFORUM High Representative to the First Meeting of the Joint Council under the EPA.

The newsletter will be released bi-monthly. The May-June edition is now available. Please click to read the EPA Implementation Bulletin.

The Barbados Extravaganza hosted by the Consulate General of Barbados at Miami is back for its second year. Previously held in 2009 at Amelia Island in Florida, this year’s Extravaganza will be held in Charleston, South Carolina from September 1-5, 2011. The event continues to be an opportunity to showcase Barbados’ tourism product, business and investment opportunities and culture.

This year’s showcase will include inter alia:
•    A Welcome Reception and Gala Award Dinner.
•    A re-creation of “Bridgetown Market”.
•    A Town hall Meeting.
•    A Service of Thanksgiving.
•    Tourism and business promotion.
•    Networking among Barbadians in the Diaspora with home-based Barbadians.
•    Networking between Barbadians and specific agencies based in the Charleston area.

Entitled ‘Barbados Comes (Back) to South Carolina’, this year will also focus on the strong historical ties and long-standing relationship between Barbados and the Southern state. Dating back to 1670, these ties have been strengthened with the twinning of Speightstown and Charlestown in 1997. Special elements have therefore been included, amongst which are:

•    A lecture on the Barbados-Carolinas connection by Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the Cave Hill Campus of the UWI, Dr. Sir Hilary Beckles.
•    The screening of a Barbadian film.
•    Sight-seeing tours of historic Charleston.
•    Collaboration with several specific Charleston/Carolinas-based agencies, including Charles Towne Landing and Friends of  Charles Towne Landing, the South Carolina National Heritage Corridor (SCNHC), the Gullah-Geechee Heritage Corridor and the South Carolina African American Heritage Commission; the South Carolina Arts Commission amongst others.

Barbadians at home and throughout the Diaspora across the United States are being asked to give full support to the Extravaganza. Consul General Colin S. Mayers has said, “Team Barbados is planning for the “Barbados Comes [Back] to Charleston” event to be the biggest ever Barbadian extravaganza in the USA and to have the widest possible publicity.  We want you, your family and your associates to be a part of this historic occasion.”

For further information and updates, please visit www.barbadoscharleston.com.

The Ministry of Family, Culture and Sports has completed Barbados' draft Cultural Industries Development Bill. Permanent Secretary of the Division of Culture and Sports, Shirley Farnum, has stated that the Bill provides for “the establishment of a regulatory framework to facilitate and encourage the sustainable growth and development of cultural industries, funding for cultural projects, as well as duty free concessions and income tax benefits in respect of cultural projects”.

The Division is seeking the public's feedback in its efforts to ensure that the Bill adequately covers the needs of key stakeholders in the cultural industries and includes recommended ‘tools of trade’ in the schedule to the Act.

Copies of the draft Bill are available at all branches of the Public Library, Post Offices across the island, the National Cultural Foundation at West Terrace, St. James and the Division of Culture and Sports at the Warrens Office Complex, St. Michael. It can also be accessed electronically at http://www.gisbarbados.gov.bb/Cultural_Industries_Bill_2011.pdf

Written submissions should be sent to the Permanent Secretary in the Division of Culture, Sports and Youth by July 22, 2011.