Employment opportunities waiting

PRESIDENT of the Barbados International Business Association (BIBA), Julia Hope, says that while more persons are aware of the revenue generated by the sector, there is still pressure to deliver solutions to more global businesses so that the sector can grow.

In fact, she believes that the international business sector has the potential to hire much more than the 5 000 persons currently employed.

According to Hope, “Legislation requiring jurisdictions like ours to prove that businesses are staffed appropriately is now on the statute books in keeping with international regulatory requirements. This is good news for Barbados; we have such a highly educated population. This requirement for substance will boost employment in the sector. We need to take full advantage of this.”

Hope, while addressing a number of key stakeholders at the launch, recalled that just one year ago, a dark cloud loomed over International Business Week as Barbados was forced to amend and/or repeal several pieces of legislation in order to be deemed OECD compliant, and the country was placed on and subsequently taken off the dreaded blacklist.

In spite of this, the beaming president said Barbados still welcomed new businesses to its shores and reported that the association has been rather busy.

She gave this update yesterday during the International Business Week 2019 Media Launch, which was held in the media room of Invest Barbados’ Hastings headquarters.

Hope says that Barbadians, including the youth, must embrace the opportunities afforded to them in order to make this global business sector a success.

“This is why BIBA, Invest Barbados, Central Bank, the Ministry of International Business and other strategic partners come together each year to host International Business Week. This week also enables us to learn about new trends in the sector and how our competition is faring in other jurisdictions.”

Hope stressed that business facilitation is key to the growth of the sector and gave the assurance that BIBA is pushing for changes to be made to the way business is carried out both in the public and private sectors.

During the media launch Chief Executive Officer of Invest Barbados, Kaye Brathwaite, noted that as a Diamond sponsor, Invest Barbados and by extension the Government of Barbados, continues to demonstrate its commitment to the success not only to the Week of Activities, but also to the growth and development of the sector.

“The vision of Invest Barbados is to make Barbados a premier centre for global business by 2021. This we are confident can best be achieved by working collaboratively with our strategic partners to build awareness, attract new businesses, encourage the expansion of existing businesses as well as educate stakeholders on current opportunities and global trends.”

BIBA’s week of activities will include a church service at the Covenant of Life Teaching Centre on Sunday, October 20; a Secondary Schools’ Symposium on October 22 at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre; and a Public Discussion Forum at the Grande Salle of the Tom Adams Financial Centre and a Careers Showcase at The UWI on October 23. The International Business Conference will be held on October 24 and 25; and members will embark on a Community Service Project at the Geriatric Hospital on October 26. (JH)