The time for businesses to learn and benefit from China is now!
This was emphasized recently by Minister of Small Business, Entrepreneurship and Commerce, Dwight Sutherland, as he, along with a ministry team, met with Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Barbados, Yan Xiusheng, at the Warren’s Office Complex, Warrens, St Michael.
Recalling his visit to the exposition in Shanghai last year, where the focus was on China’s Belt and Road Agreement, Minister Sutherland told Ambassador Yan that Barbados stood to benefit significantly from that country, one of the fastest growing economies in the world.
He said: “There is a lot that we can learn from you and indeed there is a lot that you can do to enhance our trade relationships and to give us that edge in terms of where the international world sees us as a small island, but yet powerful as it relates to not only doing business but our standards and our credibility and how we are viewed as a people.
“We really believe that if there is a time that Barbados can benefit from China’s liberation of its market is now, especially in a digital age. It all starts here in this ministry, preparing businesses for export. We in the ministry are not only looking to grow the micro, small and medium enterprise sector. We can always benefit from your experience in terms of what you have done as a nation.”
Commending China for opening up its markets and aiding developing countries, through the Belt and Road Agreement, Sutherland expressed the hope that technical assistance and funding could be provided to Barbados for the building of a laboratory to ensure accreditation and address the sanitary and phytosanitary rules of the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Acknowledging that such a lab would benefit agriculture as a whole, and balance trade between China and Barbados, the Commerce Minister told Ambassador Yan: “We welcome you because with respect to the WTO rules and our drive to remove all our technical barriers to trade, we don’t believe we should try to prevent China’s imports because of a trade imbalance, but what we seek to do is to learn from you and see how we can have our businesses export-ready.”
Ambassador Yan, in response, noted that with the establishment of diplomatic relations on May 30, 1977, Barbados had adhered to a One-China relations policy and support had been mutual, with the two cooperating and collaborating in international affairs.
“Barbados is a very important country in the Caribbean region and it has played an important role in regional and international affairs…. We have assisted in the areas of education, culture, agriculture, business, healthcare, military and in every sphere, the Chinese Government has done its best to help Barbados in its development and social economy,” he said, adding this included the development of the Wildey Gymnasium, Cheapside Market, the establishment of the Hope Agricultural Project and the Food Security Centre, and very soon, the construction of a new National Stadium.
The two officials also addressed issues related to the continued development of this island’s financial literacy bureau as well as the ease of doing business via an electronic platform, a trade information portal and an electronic single window.
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I would also look at the countries that did the same to get their feedback as well. Just don’t jump off the deep end without due diligence
Barbados will end up just like Jamaica if they don’t stay away from China.
Nope
The Chinese expanding their territory into the Caribbean using gullible Caribbean ministers of government.
Don’t do it Barbados would end up just like rest
Once you let them in prepare for some challenges and disenfranchised Bajans.
Why don’t Barbados keep away from these people we don’t want it
U all see whts going on with trump and the fake goods u all sick
There is a price to pay for this assistance. Example , Canada arrested an person charged by the USA in accordance with their legal obligation. China arrested two persons and charged with espionage, and stopped buying some agricultural products. The Chinese government retaliates, what happens if in the UN if Barbados does not vote the way the Chinese would like them to? Just saying be careful of whose bed you are sleeping in.
Smh
Can we be colonized by someone who will ACTUALLY feed us this time?
Like hell it will we don’t watch those people taking over look at Africa and Jamaica keep them to hell out.
I truly oppose getting into business with the Chinese. Do not take no business or assistance from the Chinese.
No to the Chinese
These demonic people hates black people why would you wanna do business with them? These peeps are fake and you will be they slaves.
Caveat emptor ….
Let the buyer beware.
The Chinese will benefit from business in Barbados and establish ownership and control as they have in Africa and Jamaica.
Always keep in mind the saga of some African nations and Jamaica. All that glitters is not gold!
Do not fall prey to the chinese. Look at belize, jamaica, african countries. They come and give you huge loans that they know you cant pay off and take all your prize assets from the people. China is over populated, they need some place to put there people. They come to the caribbean because most caribbean countries are majority poor and in need. They exploit you and take all your fertile land and prize assets. There is NO benefit
Do not get into bed with China. The only benefits will be dor the Chinese. Just look at what is happening in Certain African countries and Jamaica. Barbados or Bajans will not benefit.
Why does everyone feel that they have to reinvent the wheel. Have we not learnt from the examples of others?
No please. Ask Antigua why
Go ahead!!! But be warned…..you take soldier man things, be prepared to take soldier man licks….
Wouldn’t this be a case off closing the stable door after the horse already bolted? Who built the gymnasium, along with other projects?
These money grabbing, hand to mouth, greedy, corrupt politicians we’ve bout here will keep selling Barbados until there’s nothing left to sell, and then born and bred Bajans will be asked to leave or exported to someplace like Haiti.
I am in total agreement with all of these comments.
Be very careful of these trojan horses…
Folks need to start writing and calling ministers because they need to know Bajans do not support this. Anyone with any sense following the global economy would know this is a horrible idea.
Chinese money come with strings and they come to take over
He more thing change the…..
Don’t do it
HOW?
What does Barbados has to offer China?
Bright Red Flag!!
If Barbados want to remain Bajan. Keep the Chinese out of Barbados. Just look at the effect that the Chinese has had on Jamaica and Africa. China is looking for colonies for its ever increasing population.
The Chinese are the new Europeans. Don’t ever forget the colonial carve up of Africa.
Minister of Small Business, Entrepreneurship and Commerce, Dwight Sutherland listen to the majority cause I don’t know any place besides here. It might sound good to you and you and you. But think carefully about what you are doing. The final decision is not yours. Listen!
Not a good idea at all
Dwight everthing bout them is fake cheap and nah good
I hope he know what he doing those ppl fake,everything about them Chinese fake, if you cant trust them to cook food for you what make u think you can trust them with Barbados.
Remove the from and what wdo we have?
Yeah! right! delusional!!
The Chinese here long time ago
You got that right, they are slowly taking over countries, when you borrow their money and cannot repay
Wunnahg gine soon find d out
Oh my word. Run Forest run. Is there any place on earth that the Chinese are not trying to take over ? Apparently even a 21 x 14 island is not too small for them. This politician got his head stuck in the sand at every beach on the island.