Article Image Alt Text

Prime Minister Freundel Stuart presents a special token of appreciation to Marita and Thomas Regan, who have visited the island 108 and 110 times respectively.

Visitors thanked for placing confidence in Barbados

FOUR of the repeat visitors attending a reception at the Prime Minister’s official residence at Ilaro Court recently, have amassed over 400 visits to Barbados over the years.

Prime Minister the Rt. Hon Freundel Stuart, thanked the visitors for the confidence in the island, in spite of challenges which the country has faced particularly over the past decade as a result of the financial crisis of 2007 and its ripple effect. With tourism as the lead sector in the Barbados economy, he noted that every new visitor who comes to the island, strengthens the economic infrastructure of the country.

“Your continued confidence in Barbados, the fact that you in spite of all those challenges continue to visit Barbados and invest in Barbados and demonstrate that you are a part of this national project, has been a source of continuing inspiration for us,” he stated.

The Prime Minister also explained that the country had to make some adjustments to face its challenges.

He used the example of the upcoming Good Friday, which he said is not a long period of torture. “ The time comes when they come to an end and the joys of Easter . The joys of renaissance, rebirth, resurrection then take over and that is how life unfolds.”

“Whether talking about a country’s economy, a country’s society, whether you are talking about relationships between parents and children, husbands and wives, that is what the human story is about. That interplay between Good Friday and Easter. It plays itself out in society’s all across the world and we have seen it over the last few years, in the wake of the global financial meltdown.”

“History doesn’t develop in a straight line, there are zig-zags, there are ups and downs, there are ebbs and flows and we have to face that fact.”

He told the guests that even though the country is not immune to external shocks, efforts have been made to create a Barbados that is socially balanced, economically viable, environmentally sound and characterised by good and transparent governance.

“When we say a Barbados that is social balanced, we mean a Barbados in which people of all classes, races and creeds can find their place whether as visitors or as locals who reside here ordinarily. That is why you feel so comfortable when you come here because it is generally understood in this country that there is no room, no place for discrimination on the basis of race, colour, creed, orientation, none of those things. We committed ourselves to a Barbados that is socially balanced.”

The visitors were greeted by students of the Lodge School and entertained by the rhythmic sounds of the tuk band, with stilt-walker and Mother Sally. They were also serenaded by the students of the St. Paul’s Primary. Also attending the reception were cricketing greats Charles “Charlie” Griffith, Desmond Haynes and Gordon Greenidge. Miss Universe Barbados Shannon Griffith was also on hand to meet and greet the visitors. (JH)

Barbados Advocate

Mailing Address:
Advocate Publishers (2000) Inc
Fontabelle, St. Michael, Barbados

Phone: (246) 467-2000
Fax: (246) 434-2020 / (246) 434-1000