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Barbados
HAPPY
55TH
INDEPENDENCE
Barbados Independence 1966 Prior to gaining independence, several Afro-Barbadians began to play a much more prominent role in the English colony's politics. Early activists included Grantley Herbert Adams, who helped found the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) in 1938. He became the first Premier of Barbados in 1953, when Barbados attained full self-government. Barbados negotiated full political independence from Britain on November 30, 1966. Errol Barrow became the country's first prime minister. Barbados became an independent state and Commonwealth realm with the British Monarch as hereditary head of state. Due to their colonial history and connection to the United Kingdom, even after independence, it is sometimes referred to as “Little England.”
February 18, 1966: Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip driving through Barbados waving to the crowds Keystone/Getty Images
dation. With the island now becoming a republic, it means that Queen Elizabeth II will no longer serve as head of state. The island had already removed the UK-based Privy Council as its final court of appeal. The Caribbean Court of Justice is the nation's highest court. Earlier this year, it was confirmed that the woman who made the announcement, Dame Sandra Mason, would be sworn in as the first President of Barbados on Independence Day 2021. Mason was nominated by Prime Minister Mia Mottley and Opposition Leader, Bishop Joseph Atherley.
Barbados As a Republic 2021 In September 2020, while delivering her Throne Speech, Governor General of Barbados, Dame Sandra Mason announced that Barbados will become a republic by the island's 55th anniversary of independence in November 2021. Mason said that former Prime Minister of Barbados Errol Barrow had cautioned against “loitering on colonial premises” and that the warning is “as relevant today as it was in 1966.” “Having attained independence over half a century ago, our country can be in no doubt about its capacity for self-governance. The time has come to fully leave our colonial past behind. Barbadians want a Barbadian head of state. This is the ultimate statement of confidence about who we are and what we are capable of achieving,” Mason said in
As of December 2021, the Governor General of Barbados Dame Sandra Mason (center) will be the rst president of Barbados after the nation becomes a Republic. – Alamy photo
making the announcement. Barbados has long flirted with the idea of becoming a republic since gaining Independence in 1966. In 1998, a Barbados constitutional review commission had recommended republican status but it was not carried over after the general election in 2003. Then in 2015, Prime Minister Freundel Stuart said his administration would have implemented the recommen-
Queen Elizabeth greeting the Governor-General of Barbados Dame Sandra Mason during an audience at Windsor Castle, Berkshire. – Alamy photo
B2 – NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, NOV 25 – DEC 1, 2021 | CNWNETWORK.COM HAPPY
55TH
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Barbados
CNWNETWORK.COM | NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, NOV 25 – DEC 1, 2021 –
HAPPY
55TH
INDEPENDENCE
Barbados
B
arbados is the most easterly island of the Eastern Caribbean Islands and is located west of the North Atlantic Ocean. The 14th largest Caribbean country by area, it measures 21 miles (34km) in length and as much as 14 miles (23 km) in width. In fact, you can drive around the island in about four hours. There are 11 parishes in Barbados and its capital city, Bridgetown, is located on the southwest coast in the parish of Saint Michael. Barbados is relatively flat, with the highest point being Mount Hillaby which towers about 1,115 feet above sea level. Nicknamed "Bim," "Bimshire" or "Little England," this small island gem in the Eastern Caribbean is home to 287, 371 people (2020), making it the 7th largest in the Caribbean by population. The current population is 91% black, 4% mixed, 3.5% white, and 1% Asian. The diverse ancestry of the island contributes to its current unique cultural blend which includes Arawak Indians, British settlers, European Indentured Slaves, African Slaves and East Indians. While the world will call the people on the island Barbadians, folks in the know and those living there go by the name "Bajans." The official language of Barbados is English but of course, Bajans widely communicate in the Bajan dialect; a mixture of English and mostly African languages with a sweet, unique accent. There are many unique features and qualities about Barbados but one of the most profound is its literacy rate. According to worldatlast.com, Barbados has a literacy rate of 100%, making it only one of 26 countries in the world with such an achievement. It is this highly educated society that makes the Bajans labor force a powerful and soughtafter commodity by companies internationally. The Tourism Industry in Barbados is the heartbeat of its economic development. According to statista.com the island is ranked 7th of the Caribbean islands that are most dependent on tourism. Figures from travelmarketreport.com show that tourism contributes 40% of the country's gross domestic product (GDP) and is responsible for 30% of its workforce. Of all the places on earth to go, Barbados was the only overseas trip by the first president of the United States. Tucked away about two miles from capital Bridgetown, is the George Washington House Museum. It was once the base for the first US president who traveled to Barbados in search of a cure for his half-brother's tuberculosis in 1751. If you love beaches, gardens, food, rum and fun then Barbados is the place to be. With 80 beaches circling the island you will have an abundance of sea, sand, and sun for a lifetime. You can surf, fish, dive, snorkel or enjoy water sports as you please The west coast offers calm, clear water which is quite conducive to many beach activities, while the east coast opens up beautifully to crashing waves and an environment that is more suited to sunbathing, walking, jogging, surfing, and even meditation.
Things to
Know Location: Eastern Caribbean Capital: Bridgetown Number of parishes: 11 Currency: Barbadian dollar Exchange Rate with US$: 1 US$ = BBD$2.0259 Independence: November 30, 1966 Republican status: December 1, 2021 Official language: English National dish: Flying fish and Cou-Cou Favorite foods: Puddin' n' Souse, Bajan Macaroni Pie, Rice and Peas, Barbecued PigTails, Bajan Fish Cakes, Rum cake Literacy: 100% Prime Minister: Mia Mottley
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The
Leaders Premiers of Barbados Sir Grantley Herbert Adams 1953 - 1958 Hugh Gordon Cummins 1958 - 1961 The Right Excellent Errol Barrow 1961 – 1966
Barbados Prime Ministers The Right Excellent Errol Barrow 1966 – 1976 The Right Honourable John Adams 1976 – 1985 The Right Honourable Sir Bernard St. John 1985 – 1986 The Right Excellent Errol Barrow 1986 – 1987 The Right Honourable Sir Erskine Sandiford 1987 – 1994 The Right Honourable Owen Arthur 1994 – 2008 The Honourable David Thompson 2008 – 2010 The Right Honourable Freundel Stuart 2010 – 2018 The Honourable Mia Mottley 2018 – present
Governor Generals of Barbados Sir John Montague Stow 1966 – 1967 Sir Arleigh Winston Scott 1967 – 1976 Sir William Douglas(acting) 1976 – 1976 Sir Deighton Lisle Ward 1976 – 1984 Sir William Douglas(acting) 1984 – 1984 Sir Hugh Springer 1984 – 1990 Dame Nita Barrow 1990 – 1995 Sir Denys Williams (acting) 1995 – 1996 Sir Clifford Husbands 1996 – 2011 Sir Elliott Belgrave (acting) 2011 – 2012 Dame Sandra Mason (acting) 2012 - 2012 Sir Elliott Belgrave 2012 – 2017 Sir Philip Greaves (acting) 2017 - 2018 Dame Sandra Mason 2018 – 2021
Presidents of Barbados Dame Sandra Mason – 2021
Dame Sandra Mason To become the rst President of Barbados
m s i r u o T
Culture & The nation has a population of almost 289,000 residents, predominantly of African descent. Despite being classified as an Atlantic island, Barbados is considered to be a part of the Caribbean, where it is ranked as a leading tourist destination. Forty percent of the tourists come from the UK, with the US and Canada making up the next large groups of visitors to the island. Barbados is a blend of West African, Portuguese, Creole, Indian and British cultures. While the island has several attractions that draw tourists from all over the world, the largest is the Crop Over Festival, which takes place in the summer. Crop Over is a traditional harvest festival which began in Barbados, having had its early beginnings on the sugar cane plantations during slavery. During the 1600s, crop over celebrations were also held in Jamaica, St Vincent, Trinidad and other Caribbean islands. Crop Over was revived and organized as a national festival in 1974, as a way to attract more tourists to the island and revive interest in local folk culture. Beginning in June, Crop Over now runs until the first Monday in August when it culminates in the finale, The Grand Kadooment. Crop Over is one of the most festive periods in Barbados The festival includes musical competitions and other traditional activities, and features the majority of the island's homegrown calypso and soca music for the year. The male and female Barbadians who harvested the most sugarcane are crowned as the King and Queen of the Crop. One of the island's most famous natives, Rihanna, is a regular attendee at the annual Crop Over.
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A Taste of Barbados Beyond the Sun, Sea and Sand By Renatta Mohammed Director, Investment and Marketing - Invest Barbados Despite the myriad of challenges posed by the pandemic, let me note that Barbados, as an island, has been determined to not let a good crisis go to waste! For us, this time of trial has been an opportunity to pivot – to strategise towards the diversification of our economy and to be at our innovative best – birthing for example, the first 12 month visa to allow digital nomads to live and work from paradise, minus tax implications. I therefore immediately invite you to consider and where applicable, re-consider Barbados as a place to live (full time or part time) , work, play, invest, expand, export to and grow! I assure you that in addition to the sea and sun for which we are well known for, a warm and welcoming investment climate awaits!
At the end of October, Consul General of Barbados to Miami , HE Neville Greenidge, hosted members of Invest Barbados (the island's national investment promotion agency) – and persons interested in doing business in Barbados, to a breakfast that served local cuisine and a taste of what Barbados has to offer, beyond sun, sea and sand. The following excerpts were delivered by Renatta Mohammed, Director of Investment and Marketing at the state agency, who noted that while the world's most recent Republic ushers in a new era, the island's investment climate remains warm and welcoming. Aptly dubbed, 'The Barbados Welcome Stamp', the novel 12-month visa has proven to be very popular with the international business community - a clear signal that Barbados is so much more than a tourist destination. As a result of the Stamp, our real estate sector is enjoying healthy traction and there's an open invitation to transition and establish businesses of substance in Barbados, further contributing to our mutual development.
Why Barbados? Why the USA? We have a golden opportunity to build upon our bilateral relations, deepen the trade between both countries, utilize our synergies, our geographical proximity and shared times zone to explore the exciting and emerging investment opportunities blossoming on the island. And while historic - and our more recent linkages and outreaches are important, our present-day objective is to forge stronger ties with you and utilize the opportunity of our shared presence here today. It is a timely meet since Barbados' global business engagement strategy encompasses targeting non-traditional markets and sectors from Europe, Africa and the Middle East, while strengthening the existing. As I speak, my colleagues are at Expo 2020 Dubai – an international Expo – at which Barbados, the USA, and some 189 other countries would be showcased. As such today, and at that Expo, we all look forward to the additional nuggets that may be unearthed as we gain an even better appreciation of the possibilities that exist across the waters and within our borders.
Barbados is open for business And in case it hasn't been made absolutely clear Barbados is very much open for business. Recently ranked second for competitiveness among the Latin American and Caribbean countries by the Global Financial Centres Index, Barbados remains a resilient
New era, continued stability
Mohammed financial centre. Out of 114 countries including a range of vast regions, Barbados ranked 64th overall! Ranking was based on the business environment, human capital, infrastructure, financial sector development and reputation. I share this achievement to note that we have built and maintained a solid foundation for you, underpinned by transparency and compliance, manned by a highly educated workforce. Like the US and the rest of the global village, Barbados has been fighting back against COVID-19 – and we have had to press the reset button and pivot to manage and mitigate the challenges posed by the virus. As an innovative response to the pandemic, as previously mentioned, Barbados was the first in the world to issue an invitation to visitors, especially digital nomads, to live and work for up to a year in paradise.
We remail well-regulated and while we appreciate the value of our tourism sector – and I note that there are immediate opportunities for tourism investment, global business is the business of Barbados. Be reminded that Barbados has a long history in financial services with over 4,000 financial service companies, 40 double taxation agreements, and nine bilateral investment treaties. Additionally, Barbados cut its corporation taxes from 25% to a range of 1% to 5.5%. Tax allowances for manufacturing and research and development reduce those rates further. At this time, these are some of the lowest corporation tax rates anywhere in the world. Our personal income tax rates are also competitive. If you are considering the establishment of a business in Barbados, know that you will be joining an expanding roster of global entities on the island. Indeed, several investors and international agencies choose Barbados as the hub for their operations in the Caribbean and as a gateway to Latin America. For those considering trade, we also have an established and proven track record; I am here with our US based team to discuss the possibilities.
It excites me that Barbados and the US have clearly articulated renewable energy goals – and a shared desire to protect our natural resources. Equally exciting are the strides we have both taken in the area of FinTech. There is much to explore in the interest of our collective futures. Allow me to excite you further, with mention of some of the other investment opportunities that abound - from the traditional to the emerging.
Emerging Opportunities Committed to the diversification of our economy, we have been promoting our productive sectors globally. These include areas such as insurance, wealth management, financial services, information communication technology, renewable energy and niche manufacturing, to name a few. The majority of these sectors generally withstood the shocks from the pandemic and registered increased demand, particularly the insurance, information communication technology and niche manufacturing sectors. Agriculture is also a sector that has experienced substantive growth recently. As such, investment opportunities in this sector are ripe for the picking including areas like, high tech food production, agroprocessing, as well as farming geared towards local and regional food security, among others.
Special Note to the Diaspora If you are a member of our diaspora, consider the opportunities mentioned as well as investment opportunities through Government Securities via our Stock Exchange and the Central Bank of Barbados, investments through our Credit Unions and the range or registered charities and foundations on the island. Let Invest Barbados be your guide What I've shared is but a sampling of what Barbados has to offer. If you'd welcome personalized insights and guidance, our team at Invest Barbados is available to be your guides from the point of interest, to investment and growth. Let's grow together. We are here to collectively ensure that Barbados works for you.” Find our more via www.investbarbados.org
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Famous Bajans by Birth or Family Bridgetown. He played for the West Indies between 1948 and 1963 and was one-third of the famous "Three W's." He was inducted in the ICC hall of fame in 2009.
Sobers
Garfield Sobers: Cricketer National hero and West Indies Cricketer between 1954 and 1974. Born in Bridgetown, he was inducted in the ICC hall of fame in 2009 and was regarded as one of the greatest all-rounders of the game. Malcolm Marshall Cricketer Fast bowler and middle-order batsman for the West Indies between 1978 and 1992. Considered to be the best fast bowler of the modern era, he was born in Bridgetown. Inducted in ICC hall of fame in 2009 Joel Garner (Big Bird) Cricketer Fast bowler for the West Indies from 1977 to 1987 and was inducted into the ICC cricket hall of fame in 2010. Joel has the best performance ever in a world cup final. In the 1979 finals, he took 5 for 39 runs, including a spell of 5 wickets for 4 runs. He was born in Christchurch.
Gordon Greenidge Cricketer West Indies Batsman between 1974 and 1991 and ICC cricket hall-of-famer (2009). One of the best opening batsmen the game has ever seen. He was born in St Peter. Desmond Haynes Cricketer West Indies batsman between 1978 and 1994 and ICC cricket hall-of-famer (2021). Born in Saint James, he was a star opener with Gordon Greenidge Everton Weekes Cricketer One-third of the famous West Indies "Three W's" Weekes represented West Indies between 1948 and 1958. He was born in Saint Michaels and is the only cricketer in history to score 5 consecutive test centuries. Frank Worrell Cricketer West Indies cricketer who was the first black captain of the West Indies team. He was born in
Clyde Walcott Cricketer Part of the West Indies' "Three W's" batting line-up, Walcott was considered the best batsman in the mid-1950s. Born in Bridgetown, he was the first nonEnglish and non-white chairman of the International Cricket Council. Wes Hall Cricketer, politician Born in Saint Michael, he was a member of the West Indies team between 1958 and 1969. An ICC hall-of-famer, he was a selector and president of West Indies Cricket Board.
LL Cool J Rapper, actor His real name is James Todd Smith. He was born in Queens, New York, and his grandfather came from Barbados. Tony Cozier Journalist Born in Bridgetown, Cozier was a phenomenal cricket journalist and
commentator for the West Indies. He was famous for his in-depth knowledge of facts and numbers.
Eric Holder Former US Attorney General Born of Bajan parents
Rihanna Singer, songwriter, actress, and businesswoman. Perhaps the most famous Bajan on earth is Robyn Rihanna Fenty. She was born in Saint Michaels.
Shirley Chisholm - US Congresswoman, presidential candidate, educator, author Mother was born in Christ Church and father lived in Barbados
Cuba Gooding, Jr. Actor Born in Bronx, New York. His grandfather, Dudley MacDonald Golding was a native of Barbados.
Thomas Russell Jones, Jr - NY Supreme Court Judge, Civil rights activist. His parents were from Barbados
Grandmaster Flash Rapper, DJ Born Joseph Saddler in Bridgetown he is considered one of the hip hop pioneers. In 2007 he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
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