Black Immigrant Daily News

The Republic of China is still very committed to working with the Government of Barbados on redeveloping the National Stadium.

This was emphasised during a meeting at Ilaro Court last Wednesday, where Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley along with officials from the National Sports Council and other government entities discussed ways to deliver the project in the shortest time frame with Chinese Ambassador Yan Xiusheng, and his delegation.

Prime Minister Mottley, stressing the need for a stadium by the next track season and before the 2024 Olympics in Paris, highlighted the country’s recent success on the world athletic stage.

She proposed that the construction be carried out in phases and suggested that in phase one, the athletic’s track, football field and three stands should be completed by January 2024 with the remaining work on the other stands in phase two, to be completed between April 2024 and January 2025.

“The reality is that we have to do it in phases…and because we value our relationship with China, we are prepared to sit down and make it happen. But I need you all to go and meet. If we provide the design and you provide the demolition, then we can see how quickly the stadium can be built and how we can work collaboratively to meet these deadlines,” Mottley stated.

Further acknowledging that Barbados needed to be able to participate in the Olympics in 2024, she said: “We need to be able to have our trials as we call them and then in April, May, we can resume.”

Ambassador Yan, noting that China would “do everything possible” to facilitate the first phase of the national stadium, said: “I can assure you that by January 2024, the first phase will be completed.”

NewsAmericasNow.com

Black Immigrant Daily News

A strategy to create jobs and rebuild the economy through investment and economic diversification, was the highest priority issue on the agenda at the United Progressive Party (UPP) Public Forum on Monday night.

Antiguan and Barbudan nationals in New York and surrounding areas, got a chance to engage with the members of the UPP team on the final leg of the Diaspora Roadshow throughout the US.

The theme of the initiative was “Partnership for Investment and Nation Building” as the UPP aims to create important linkages to advance its development goals for Antigua and Barbuda. UPP Political Leader Harold Lovell, was joined on the panel by Deputy Political Leader Jamale Pringle, Candidate for St. Mary’s North, Johnathan Joseph and Candidate for St. Phillip South, Sherfield Bowen.

In a frank discussion with scores of Antiguans and Barbudans, the panelists indicated that a number of investment opportunities would be crafted specifically for the Diaspora. Opposition Leader, Hon. Jamale Pringle, reiterated the importance of the Diaspora as a stakeholder group in supporting the development of the country.

“Apart from their traditional roles as boosters of our economy, our nationals in the Diaspora contribute significantly to achieving our national aspirations, beyond their financial contributions. We want to support your interests and rights and to strengthen your ties to the land of your birth or ancestry,” Pringle said.

Lovell announced that a UPP administration would establish a Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and that the Consulate Office would be reinstalled to serve the needs of nationals in the North East region.

He also supported the rights of Diasporans to participate in the electoral process and made a commitment to help streamline the voter registration process.

“We will put the structures in place to facilitate the Diaspora in coming back home to vote and we will simplify the process so that they can take advantage of opportunities for investment or homeownership as well,” said Lovell. “When we are masters of our own destiny we strive to become ambassadors of our country, because we recognize that we are no longer doing it for other people but for ourselves.”

The panel responded to questions from the audience on a range of topics including the status of agricultural lands, the public accounts committee, the state of healthcare and education systems, child protection and social programmes. There was concern about infrastructural development in areas such as water, roads and affordable housing.

The Political Leader also highlighted some of the UPP’s major accomplishments while in office. He took the opportunity to refute false claims made by the ABLP two weeks ago at a New York town hall meeting, that the UPP had not secured any hotel investments during its tenure.

“In politics a certain amount of exaggeration might be expected, but it is mind blowing that the Gaston Browne administration would tell such outrageous lies when the evidence is there for all to see,” Lovell said.  Sandals Mediterranean Village, Hermitage Bay, Verandah, Sugar Ridge, Nonsuch Bay and 41 locally owned small properties were cited as properties constructed under the UPP administration.

The Political leader pointed out that while the UPP was proud of its record in tourism, there would be a shift to diversifying the economy by creating linkages between other sectors such as agriculture, culture, technology and education. He encouraged nationals from all disciplines, particularly those with expertise in the aforementioned areas to assist in nation building, by transferring the knowledge and skills that they have acquired.

CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHATSAPP GROUP

NewsAmericasNow.com

Black Immigrant Daily News

ECCB Celebrates 39 Years of Service to ECCU

4 October 2022, Basseterre, Saint Christopher (St Kitts) and Nevis –

The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) is celebrating 39 years of maintaining the stability of the EC Currency and unwavering service to the governments and people of the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU).

The ECCB was established on 1 October 1983 as the monetary authority for: Anguilla,Antigua and Barbuda, Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, Saint Christopher (St Kitts) and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

The Bank’s primary objective is to maintain the stability of the EC currency and the integrity of the ECCU banking system.

As part of its mandate the ECCB also provides policy advice to its eight member governments and assists with promoting the economic development of its eight member countries.

To mark its 39th Anniversary, the management, staff, retirees and well-wishers of the ECCB joined the congregation at the Pentecostal Church of God, St Kitts, on 2 October for divine worship.

During his address at the service, the Governor of the ECCB, Timothy N. J. Antoine paid tribute to the founders, framers and all others who had contributed to the stability that the ECCB brings to the region.

CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHATSAPP GROUP

NewsAmericasNow.com