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Bajans will have to adjust as prices rise – IMF head

admin — Mon, 20 Jun 2022 15:10:01 +0000

Bajans will have to adjust as prices rise – IMF head

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admin Mon, 06/20/2022 - 15:10

Friday, June 17, 2022

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Barbados Today

Original Article

Bajans will have to adjust as prices rise – IMF head

Barbadians are being warned to prepare for some “tough times” ahead as commodity prices continue to soar, even as measures are implemented to stave off any further major fallout.

Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Kristalina Georgieva issued the sober reminder on Thursday, saying that Barbadians must experience this tough period to get to better days.

She advised that to help get through the current challenges, Barbados and the rest of the region should move with urgency to ramp up food and energy security.

“We are in for some tough times this year [and] next year,” Georgieva cautioned.

Her comments came during a conversation with President of the Barbados Economic Society (BES) Dr Simon Naitram and students of the University of the West Indies at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre.

Responding to a question regarding the dramatic slowdown in foreign direct investment to developing countries due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Georgieva declared that although the flow of private capital was now somewhat steady, “where we are today [globally] is a very dangerous zone because of multiple factors like supply chain interruptions [and] the war in Ukraine, [which] are putting pressure on prices and therefore inflation is becoming the most pressing concern in many countries”.

“We need inflation under control because price stability is critical for growth, but to bring inflation under control that means tightening of financial conditions, and when this happens typically we see withdrawal of capital.

“So, at the IMF now we are working hard to anticipate which of our members may face balance of payment constraints, and I can tell you we are ready to step up. We have US$700 billion lending capacity and we will deploy as much as necessary,” the IMF boss said.

She said she has been notifying countries with high debt not to wait until things deteriorate further before moving towards programmes that would help protect their economies.

“When capital leaves and nothing comes to guarantee stability, then countries may find themselves in a very tough spot,” Georgieva cautioned.

“I want to be honest with all of you – we are in for some tough times this year [and] next year because of this tightening of financial conditions and the consequences of it.”

However, the economist, who is in Barbados for what is her first trip to the Eastern Caribbean, told residents not to “take it as bad”, explaining that the fiscal tightening measures on which some countries were embarking were to ensure financial and price stability, which would, in turn, lead to more confidence among investors.

“Investors would be comfortable to invest, there would be jobs, there would be growth. So we have to go through these tougher times,” she said.

Georgieva said residents will also need to play their part by changing their consumption patterns and doing what they can to protect the environment.

“We all need to adjust to this tougher time,” she said.

The top IMF official declared that the time was ripe for Barbados and other countries in the region to ramp up investment in the agriculture and renewable energy sectors and “rethink supply chains and rethink security of supply, especially for food”.

She also agreed that while governments should seek to protect the most vulnerable, those just above the poverty line may also require some assistance.

“In this environment, we also see the middle-class quite affected. So, measures do need to target the most vulnerable. There has to be also some appreciation for those that are above the poverty line but are not by much,” Georgieva explained.

“What we recommend and what we see being in place is a recognition that inequalities have grown during the pandemic . . . . That cannot continue because it undermines the social foundation and, in that sense, measures that are directed to more progressivity in taxation [are required], so those who can afford to help more they do.”

At the same time, she said the IMF was “working hard” to identify ways in which it can better help member countries to achieve their sustainable development goals.

The Managing Director pointed out that the Washington-based international financial institution has “stepped up significantly from the very outset of the COVID crisis” to provide financing to nearly 100 of its 190 member states.

Responding to a question from one of the students on the IMF’s plans to assist member countries to recover from the setback caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and how it planned to assist them going forward, she reminded that in addition to emergency funding which was also extended to Barbados, the IMF also allowed countries to access loans through the Special Drawing Rights (SDR) facility.

Georgieva is on a four-day official visit here. [email protected]

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IMF: Economy recovering but risks remain

admin — Mon, 20 Jun 2022 15:10:01 +0000

IMF: Economy recovering but risks remain

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admin Mon, 06/20/2022 - 15:10

Friday, June 17, 2022

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Barbados Today

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IMF: Economy recovering but risks remain

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved Barbados’ final draw down of US$23 million under its Extended Fund Facility (EFF) saying that the economy is beginning to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic but warning the risk to continued recovery remains elevated with higher global commodity prices pushing up inflation.

In a statement issued on Thursday after its Executive Board concluded the seventh and final EFF review, and while its Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva is on an official visit to Barbados, the IMF said the government continues to make good progress in implementing the Barbados Economic Recovery and Transformation (BERT) programme, despite significant economic shocks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, natural disasters, and the war in Ukraine.

“Economic activity in Barbados is starting to recover from the COVID-19 shock,” it said, although adding that “risk to the outlook remains high”.

“The key risk to Barbados’ economic outlook is a further lengthening of the pandemic, with the recovery in tourism depending on developments in key source markets. An intensification of the war in Ukraine could further increase global commodity prices.”

The IMF advised that strengthening resilience to natural disasters and climate change, combined with an accelerated transition to renewable energy, is key to achieving more sustainable economic growth and reducing vulnerability to international oil price volatility.

The Fund noted the improvement in the vital tourism sector over the last two years.

Noting that tourism came to a virtual standstill in April 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic had begun to affect the island, and the economy contracted by 14 per cent that year, the IMF said a gradual economic recovery started in 2021 and has gained momentum in recent months, with tourism now at about 60 per cent of pre-pandemic levels.

“Medium-term growth prospects depend on accelerating structural reforms to improve the business climate, diversify the economy, and facilitate green and digital transformations,” it said.

The IMF said that over the life of Barbados’ four-year programme, which was approved on October 1, 2018, the authorities have steadily moved ahead with their economic reform agenda including the introduction of a revised central bank law, state-owned enterprise (SOE) reform, and reforms of the customs department.

International reserves, which reached a low of US$220 million (5- 6 weeks of import coverage) in May 2018, are now at a comfortable level of US$1.5 billion, it added.

The EFF comes to an end in September and Prime Minister Mia Mottley has indicated that while entering another arrangement with the IMF was not off the table, a decision has not yet been made.

A total of US$435 million in disbursements were made over the life of the programme.
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Peaceful St George community stunned by fatal shooting of young resident

admin — Mon, 20 Jun 2022 15:10:01 +0000

Peaceful St George community stunned by fatal shooting of young resident

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admin Mon, 06/20/2022 - 15:10

Friday, June 17, 2022

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Barbados Today

Original Article

Peaceful St George community stunned by fatal shooting of young resident

In the quiet community of Fairview Heights, St George, a blood-stained section of the road covered by sand was the only lingering evidence of another life taken by gun violence on Thursday.

Around 1 a.m., 27-year-old Romaine Mayers of Greens in the same parish was confirmed as the island’s 12th murder victim when police discovered his lifeless body following reports of gunshots in the area.

At the scene, a Barbados TODAY team found a visibly shaken Member of Parliament for St George South Dwight Sutherland who was very close to the victim whom he called “son”.

“I am here sad, shocked, in a state of depression. I lost a very good friend this morning, due to gun violence here in Fairview,” he said.

Sutherland, who had just visited grieving family members who were too distraught to speak to the media, said Mayers’ mother and brother were struggling to come to grips with the ordeal.

“She is very sad, his brother Ross also. You don’t know what to tell a parent at a time when she has lost her 27-year-old son, who was dear to her, a very loving young man who would give his last to you. He had a very infectious laugh,” reflected the MP who is also Minister of Housing, Lands, and Maintenance.

It was only five days ago that Sutherland was with the young man. On Tuesday they had what would be their last conversation.

“[On Sunday] I picked him up to watch a second division final in the BCA 11 where Greens went to the final for the first time playing in the BCA second division in the T20 knockout competition. They didn’t win but we had fun. I picked up Romaine and another friend of mine, Kevin Howard – these were two young men that I usually travel around with . . .

“So it is very sad to know that I saw him on Sunday last and then I spoke with him on Tuesday afternoon. He had asked me to do something for him and I was in the process of doing it.

“This is very sad. To wake up this morning and to see on your doorstep in St George South, in the very peaceful neighbourhood of Fairview, and then to know that it is your dear friend and one whom I call son; I [treated] him like a son . . . . This is indeed sad, I am feeling very, very depressed and in a state of shock,” Sutherland said.

He condemned the senseless killing even as he assured that the Government would not ease up on efforts to stamp out gun violence.

“As a government we are trying our best, working with the Barbados Police Service and the other forces in this country to stem violence and especially gun violence…. Anywhere there is gun violence and death by gun are a problem for us. I am hoping that we catch the person who committed this vicious act of death by gun,” Sutherland said.

The MP said the Greens community would miss Mayers but he would not be forgotten.

“We are going to have some challenging times in Greens over the next few weeks but we will rally together as a family in St George South. And we will live the life that we believe we wanted him to live and we will do the things that he wanted us to do,” Sutherland declared.

Lawmen have asked anyone with information about the fatal shooting to contact Police Emergency at 211, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477, the District “B” Police Station at 437 4311, or any police station.
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Slow decision-making hampering development in energy sector – Mottley

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Slow decision-making hampering development in energy sector – Mottley

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admin Mon, 06/20/2022 - 15:10

Friday, June 17, 2022

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Barbados Today

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Slow decision-making hampering development in energy sector – Mottley

Prime Minister Mia Mottley has hinted at changes to legislation and the introduction of new policies to govern investment in, and production of renewable energy in Barbados. She also suggests that the island was losing out big time on major investment opportunities due to cumbersome regulation and the slow pace of the regulator to make certain decisions.

Mottley, who has identified energy security as a main element of the island’s development needs, made the comments during a panel discussion on Thursday, involving Managing Director of the IMF Kristalina Georgieva; Governor of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank Timothy Antoine and Canada’s Minister of International Development Harjit Sajjan.

Pointing out that legislation seemed to be a hindrance to development of the sector, Mottley said it was her view that perhaps the time had come for major regulation changes for the renewable energy sector to get needed investment.

Her comments come amidst rising concerns over the island’s lack of energy security in the face of spiraling fuel prices and the fact that Barbados is behind on its renewable energy goals.

“We go for regulation as we must. Then when the regulation is not effective or it takes too long, it is a drag on the economy. Right now we are facing that with respect to renewable energy and getting the regulatory framework correct,” said Mottley.

“The Government is going to have to make some decisions whether we continue to allow a process that is too long and too complicated and in my view, too complex, for small states as well. Whether we allow that process to continue unabated or whether we recognise that there is a crisis upon us and if we don’t intervene and try the best thing according to transparent and fair precepts to allow us to advance, then we run the risk of ending up at our destination fully paralysed or not even alive. These are the hard decisions that we are going to have to take, in my view from where I sit,” she said.

“It is going to mean, and we saw it with the pandemic, and insisted that the Cabinet . . . that all contracts over $1 million that we put before the Parliament so that people can see, because we will have to do more expedited procurement in order to save ourselves, save our region and to save jobs. We will have to do in some instances, some broad policy directives instead of complex regulation, with renewable energy in particular,” she said.

Mottley told the panel, “We have been waiting for investments to be able to get started purely because we can’t get the FTC (Fair Trading Commission) to do and act fast enough with respect to issues relating to feed-in-tariffs. At the end of the day when the directive comes, what use is it going to be? You are going to hear that we have waited so long that we can’t access the panels or you can’t access this material because of the supply chain disruption.”

The FTC is in the process of coming up with new tariff rates for systems of a certain size.

Reminiscent of a campaign promise that she made, Mottley said it was time the country goes back to “a principle on a lot of things and what is the public interest we are trying to defend, what is the public mischief that we need to avoid, how does the technology help us to do it in a more efficient way”.

Mottley said: “I am prepared to lead from in front on these issues now, because it is clear to me that you cannot play shots on a sticky wicket with the atmosphere very moist as you would play when it is dry and arid. You can’t play pace the same way you play spin, and we now have to adjust our shots for this environment that regrettably is too much like the environment a century ago, but with the knowledge that we do know better and we can defend the core principles of what must be defended better. But we cannot play by rote because we will end up with a lot of casualties,” said Mottley.
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Complacency setting in on crime, says Atherley

admin — Mon, 20 Jun 2022 15:10:01 +0000

Complacency setting in on crime, says Atherley

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admin Mon, 06/20/2022 - 15:10

Friday, June 17, 2022

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Barbados Today

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Complacency setting in on crime, says Atherley

The crime situation in Barbados has gotten out of hand and urgent action needs to be taken before it gets any worse.

That is the view of leader of the Alliance Party for Progress (APP), Reverend Joseph Atherley, who has accused Government and law enforcement of being “complacent” in their efforts to stem the flow of illegal firearms entering the country.

His comments have come following today’s shooting death of Romain Mayers.

Mayers, of Greens, St George, was gunned down at Fairview Heights in the same parish in the wee hours of this morning.

He is the fifth person to be murdered in a month. Barbados has recorded 12 murders so far this year.

“The murders were happening once a week but it feels like its once a day now. It is really sad and I will repeat the comments I have made several times in that we need to be able and I’m sure we are in a position to determine how these guns are getting into Barbados and who is bringing them,” Atherley maintained during an interview with Barbados TODAY.

“There is nobody who can tell me that law enforcement in Barbados is not aware of where these guns are coming in and who are the perpetrators in terms of the import of firearms. I can’t believe that our law enforcement agencies would not know that. I would rather believe that their hands are tied…We are being very complacent as a country about this.”

Atherley suggested that most of the killings were tied to drugs and gangs.

“On the ground we have to do something about bringing an end to some of the conflicting situations that are as a result of these gun crimes. Certainly some of them are related to drugs, perhaps the majority of them, drugs and gangs.

“Who are the people responsible for bringing large quantities of drugs into Barbados? Do you think a fella from Richmond or from Station Hill has the capacity to import x amount of kilos of drugs into Barbados? No, no, not at all,” Atherley contended.

“It cannot be beyond us to determine these things so we have to attack the crime from these perspectives.”

He suggested that a holistic approach be taken in trying to improve the crime situation on the island.

The high cost of living and an increase in poverty were determining factors in the crime spike, he noted.

“We have to look at some of the economic issues that induce poverty and we have to get into some remedial action that brings people back from that track of a life of crime,” Atherley said.

“We have to reinforce our efforts at rehabilitation, we have to reinforce our efforts at being proactive about the crime situation and stopping it before some of our young people get into that type of mindset, into that type of culture. We have to deal with social programmes at the level of the school, involving the church and other social entities and at the level of the family. Family poverty in Barbados is a serious thing…so we have to track this at all ends.” (RB)

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Speak up, IMF chief tells Barbadian youth

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Speak up, IMF chief tells Barbadian youth

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admin Mon, 06/20/2022 - 15:10

Friday, June 17, 2022

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Barbados Today

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Speak up, IMF chief tells Barbadian youth

Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Kristalina Georgieva is urging young Barbadians to speak up on issues related to climate change and other matters of importance to them if they want improvements.

Her advice came on Thursday as she took part in a discussion with President of the Barbados Economic Society Simon Naitram and responded to questions from students of the University of the West Indies (UWI) at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre.

Stating that no one could afford to sit on the sidelines at this time, the IMF official said: “We do face an existential threat. Here in Barbados, you witness it and it is the threat of our changing climate. We do need to act decisively to reduce the magnitude of this threat and that applies to everybody.”

Georgieva, an admitted fan of Barbadian superstar and National Hero The Right Excellent Robyn Rihanna Fenty, referenced her 2006 song S.O.S, saying Barbadians should think of themselves as “the most powerful force and use your voice”.

Pointing to the need for greater renewable energy uptake, she added: “At the IMF we have a message – if you add your voice as young people to this message, I would be extremely grateful – tax pollution, don’t tax people. Tax CO2 emissions and make sure that there is a price assigned to meeting them, whether it is a tax or it is a trade, or it is regulatory enforcement. What is significant is that we have to send a very clear signal to producers and to consumers that we simply cannot survive as humanity unless we change.”

“I cannot think of a better voice on the existential crisis than yours, because you are going to inherit the problems my generation created. So, press us but also act on your own. Set the example that you care and that is so powerful,” Georgieva told the UWI students.

The top IMF official said unity was needed to address pressing issues.

“Please add your voices. We are interdependent, we need each other. We cannot possibly break into blocs and then operate within these blocs alone. That is simply not possible, and it means, I understand, a 20 per cent increase in food prices in Barbados, and in Africa it means kids dying from hunger,” she said.

“So to solve problems we must build that sense of solidarity and build the trust that is the underpinning foundation of solidarity.”

Georgieva further advised the students not to be afraid to “step up and do the right thing”, as she also urged them to believe in themselves.
(MM)

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Mother appeals for action against bullies

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Mother appeals for action against bullies

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admin Mon, 06/20/2022 - 15:10

Friday, June 17, 2022

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Barbados Today

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Mother appeals for action against bullies

A distraught mother who says her two daughters are being bullied in school is calling on authorities to do more to address the worrisome trend.

The woman, who spoke to Barbados TODAY on condition of anonymity to protect the identities of her children, said she felt as though the issue of bullying was being swept under the carpet.

She revealed that her older daughter, who attends a secondary school in the north of the island, was recently bullied by four boys while at school.

The parent said during that incident, the first-former was cuffed and choked by one of the boys.

“Since she has gone to school she has had to be dealing with bullying. On the first occasion, it was four boys and the parents were brought in for two of the boys…. One of the boys cuffed her and when she asked him why he hit her, he choked her out,” the upset mother said.

“One of those boys was sent home, he came back to school and was sent home again, came back to school and was sent to GIS [Government Industrial School]. He came back to school last week or week before and he is back home again.”

She explained that the ordeal had seriously affected her daughter to the point where she did not want to attend school anymore.

The mother said the child’s father had suggested that she be transferred to a private school, as he felt there was less likelihood of a similar incident occurring.

“The whole situation was really stressful and my daughter told me she is afraid to go to school because the boy would be at school doing cuffing motions at her and telling her that he would do this and do that,” she said.

“It was traumatic for her and then as a parent, it gets overwhelming when you have to go to the school to speak to the principal.”

She explained that her younger daughter who attends a St Michael primary school was also a victim of bullying.

The mother said she had spoken to the principal but had received no redress.

She said she had since escalated her concerns to the Ministry of Education.

“We have to find a way to deal with this bullying issue because it is very serious. Psychologically it affects our children, it also affects the parent and it seems to be getting way out of hand,” the woman said.

“You can see the anger in the young people. I know COVID came and a lot of parents are not working and some of the children may be feeling the effects of that and a lot of things may be affecting their family, but we need to find a way to address this situation.”
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Pandemonium at Republic Bank

admin — Mon, 20 Jun 2022 15:00:01 +0000

Pandemonium at Republic Bank

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admin Mon, 06/20/2022 - 15:00

Friday, June 17, 2022

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Barbados Today

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Pandemonium at Republic Bank

Republic Bank has injected BDS$85 000 in sponsorship into the National Cultural Foundation’s (NCF) pan event.

The Republic Bank Pandemonium, one of the highly-anticipated events on the 2022 Crop Over calendar, will be held on July 24, at the National Botanical Gardens.

During a press launch at Republic Bank, Warrens, St Michael, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Anthony Clerk, said that as a corporate member of the wider society, the bank is happy to donate the money to make the event a success.

He said Republic Bank looks forward to continuing to work with the NCF and encouraged the rest of corporate Barbados to find their niche and lend some support to the national festival as it makes a comeback after its two-year hiatus.

“Amidst unfolding events on the global stage, we all are making an effort to return to a path of healing and growth. It is reassuring to see the resurgence of cultural events such as Pandemonium. What we’ve all longed for most on the road to recovery from the pandemic, is safely celebrating Caribbean culture and the simple enjoyment of good friends and good music,” Clerk said.

The CEO reminded the audience that pan music remains a shared cultural thread between Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago. He said to date, Trinidad’s renowned Exodus Steel Orchestra continues to be sponsored by Republic Financial Holdings Limited, Republic Bank’s parent company.

“Our support of Pandemonium is all about ensuring pan lives on as an important legacy bequeathed to us from generations past, to capture the hearts of future generations, as well as those who visit our shores.

“As a member of the corporate community and a signatory to the principles of responsible banking we see pan as both a sound investment in the preservation of culture and investment in an artform that also offers job creation,” Clerk said.

Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer of the NCF Carol Roberts applauded Republic Bank for not only the funds they have pumped into the signature pan event, but also their commitment and involvement in Crop Over throughout the years.

She said while the BDS $85 000 is welcomed and appreciated, it is the value of the bank’s commitment that is immeasurable. The sum of money boils down to “an accounting function”, she added.

“You could have so easily said ‘we have changed directions, not going to go with you this year, Grand Kadooment is not our thing’. But the fact that you looked for something in our calendar and made it yours is really worthy of acknowledgment and I thank you,” Roberts-Reifer said.

The Chief Executive Officer added: “I talked about the value of commitment deliberately for the members of the media who for you it can sometimes be so easy again to play that accounting function. To add up the numbers and decide whether sponsorship is up or down, whether there is an increase and by what percentage, how many sponsors are onboard and what events they are sponsoring.

“I urge you to look at the backstory to that, the level of commitment, the level of dedication, the value of relationships both corporate and cultural when we all come together, not for the benefit of the individual entity, not only for the benefit of the festival – all of those things are important – but for the benefit of the country where young people have a say, responsible, vibrant, empowering opportunity to learn to play pan which then brings our culture and our heritage together,” Roberts-Reifer said. (AH)

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Call for more job opportunities for persons with disabilities

admin — Mon, 20 Jun 2022 14:50:01 +0000

Call for more job opportunities for persons with disabilities

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admin Mon, 06/20/2022 - 14:50

Friday, June 17, 2022

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Barbados Today

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Call for more job opportunities for persons with disabilities

COVID-19’s effects on Barbados’ economy – both direct and indirect – have underscored the need for more support systems and access to job opportunities for persons with disabilities.

That was the view shared by Ros Jackson, Managing Director of Caribbean Catalyst Inc., during the online announcement of Pamela Edwards as the recipient of the 2022 Kregg Nurse Scholarship Award.

Caribbean Catalyst gives the scholarship to a disabled person who successfully completed at least one year of post-secondary school education, with plans on furthering their education at the tertiary level.

Jackson contended that while the average Barbadian would have had a difficult time during the first several months of COVID-19 lockdowns because of the effect on employment, members of the disabled community had it much harder.

“COVID-19, in my view, has made the purpose of this award even more urgent and important. Many people with disabilities are by the very nature of their disability, more susceptible to contracting viruses. They need to be adequately protected, to be given the opportunities to develop their abilities,” she explained.

Jackson noted that the late Nurse, a former Ernst and Young employee after whom the award is named, never allowed his disability to stop his academic pursuits.

She said he had clearly demonstrated the need for employers in any sector to have more faith in disabled persons.

“Finding meaningful work is central to what Kregg represented, and how he made an amazing contribution to the organisation two decades ago. This is to be the essence of his legacy, and his legacy needs to resonate with employers and potential employees with disabilities.

“If employers are not open to doing things to accommodate people with disabilities, then people with disabilities who really want to do meaningful work have a hard time fulfilling that goal. In spite of COVID, and because of it, employers need to proactively set out to, where possible, hire persons with disabilities,” Jackson said.

Edwards thanked the committee behind the 18th Caribbean Catalyst Kregg Nurse Memorial Scholarship for recognising her current efforts to complete her Bachelor’s in Accounting, despite her trials with multiple sclerosis (MS).

“It is with a heart of gratitude that I express thanks to Caribbean Catalyst Inc. for your unwavering dedication in supporting the Kregg Nurse Memorial Scholarship for 17 years. Due to that commitment, I am being honoured today.

“MS indeed had delayed the completion of my degree programme, but I never gave up. The scholarship will offer assistance in covering the financial expenses associated with completing the degree. In addition, it is with extreme gratitude to my Heavenly Father, who has kept me strong mentally and physically so that I can continue to pursue the Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and other goals I have,” the award recipient said.

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Bajans successful in securing jobs on Royal Caribbean cruise ships

admin — Mon, 20 Jun 2022 14:50:01 +0000

Bajans successful in securing jobs on Royal Caribbean cruise ships

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admin Mon, 06/20/2022 - 14:50

Friday, June 17, 2022

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Barbados Today

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Bajans successful in securing jobs on Royal Caribbean cruise ships

Barbadians have responded in large numbers to get the opportunity to work on Royal Caribbean Group cruise liners in the upcoming winter season.

Over the past three days, hundreds turned up at the Wildey Gymnasium for a job fair, hosted by Royal Caribbean in partnership with the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc., to be interviewed for a wide range of positions.

Royal Caribbean is expected to staff several ships homeporting in the Caribbean, including Mariner of the Seas, Grandeur of the Seas, and Independence of the Seas.

Senior Business Development Officer, Cruise Department, at the BTMI, Tia Broomes, told Barbados TODAY the job fair was aimed at empowering Barbadians to seek employment opportunities in the cruise industry.

She reported that a high rate of persons who attended the fair successfully passed their interviews.

“Most of the candidates who would have gone through the process were successful in being offered a position on board across various aspects – from the very high-profile positions right away down the line and we are very pleased about that,” Broomes said, disclosing that individuals were accepted for positions in restaurant service, shore excursions, entertainment, medical, and marine.

“We don’t have all the numbers as yet, but we had the initial applications and then we vetted that down based on the set criteria. So, after the vetting process, there were about 1600 applicants that we were targeting. “This is just the first iteration; this is not the end of it so over time we are hoping that about 2 000 Barbadians will be employed between Royal Caribbean and the Celebrity brand,” the BTMI official added.

She said that while applicants must be 21 years or older, there were people as young as 18 submitting applications and they were encouraged to reapply when they became of age.

“We know that through a lot of our institutions on island that Barbadians are well educated and they are well trained, especially in the hospitality area given that tourism is obviously our business.

“So we are happy that they are able to go out in the industry and garner the experience overseas working on vessels, visiting different ports, and engaging with people from other destinations. We know onboard you get crew from different countries around the world,” Broomes said.

When Barbados TODAY visited the job fair on Thursday, job hopefuls opted not to speak to the media for personal reasons.

While at a cruise conference in May this year, Minister of Tourism and International Transport Lisa Cummins signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Royal Caribbean International, aimed at generating opportunities for high-quality employment in the local tourism industry.

The MOU paved the way for the Government and Royal Caribbean to work together to create cruise-related job opportunities for locals.

Minister Cummins said at the time that the MOU was timely, as it fed into the Government’s greater purpose for tourism, which is creating jobs for Barbadians to take the country’s industry forward in a sustainable way. (AH)

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