On Friday 05 October 2018, representatives of the Barbados Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) as well as representatives of the Barbados Private Sector Association (BPSA), met with designated Consul Generals, Ambassadors and High Commissioners of Barbados as part of their briefing sessions leading up to the official start of their newly appointed positions.

Mr. Ezra Prescod – President, BCCI extended his congratulations to the newly appointed Consul General Designates, Ambassadors and High Commissioners. In his opening remarks, Mr. Prescod noted several areas of interest to the private sector and the overall development of Barbados including:

1. Access to macroeconomic information and investment;
2. Ease of doing business; and
3. Opportunities in external markets.

The Meeting discussed the ways in which the appointed officials could offer their support to the Barbados private sector in each of the respective accredited countries and cities.

The roundtable discussion also highlighted other issues that should be considered by the government representatives on behalf of the Barbados private sector, including:

1. The transfer of knowledge;
2. Financing opportunities;
3. Engagement of the diaspora
4. Enhancement of private sector activity and;
5. Human capital development (including the alignment of the supply of skills to the demand in the overseas markets).

The BCCI also noted their intention to improve relations with other Chambers of Commerce, and in that regard requested their support in connecting them with such chambers in their designated Markets.

The Barbados Chamber of Commerce and Industry looks forward to further engagement with the respective designates with the view to assisting the private sector and by extension the overall development of Barbados.