THE Council of the Barbados Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) unanimously conferred on The (Barbados) Preservation Foundation Trust the status of honorary members. The Council was particularly pleased to learn of the Trust’s work and plans for the preservation and restoration of Barbados’ built heritage, particularly in the UNESCO designated area of historic Bridgetown & its Garrison. When seen against the background of the BCCI’s work in the Revitalisation of Bridgetown Initiative (TRBI) which started in 2008, it is clear that both entities share natural synergies.

It is in this spirit of partnership and collaboration that the President of BCCI, Mr. Eddy Abed and the Preservation’s Trust’s Chairman, Sir Henry Fraser signed a commitment to advance their relationship. 

The Trust’s first restoration project is the Carnegie Library, known to most Barbadians as the Public Library. This magnificent building stands at the core of historic Bridgetown and, once restored, will complement the re-development and restoration of the Synagogue block. The plans are to modernize the Library to be counted as a 21st century state-of-the-art learning, cultural and information centre. It will also serve the new University of the West Indies campus being planned for the historic Mutual building that pre-dates the Library by approximately fifteen years.