Plan to strengthen Barbados’ global presence, support diaspora

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Kerrie Symmonds has announced strategic plans to increase Barbadian visibility abroad, beginning with the appointment of consuls in major diaspora hubs.

“You will see that in short order, we will name a Consul General and Deputy Consul General to Miami and also to Toronto, and we believe New York will be the next one,” he stated at the St James Parish Church on Sunday during the launch of the Barbados Diaspora Connection Campaign, an initiative designed to bridge the gap between Barbadians at home and abroad.

Symmonds said these representatives would play crucial roles in supporting Barbadian businesses abroad. He explained that the goal is for these officials to “be up there working with our diaspora and helping us to build the diasporic interest together.”

He emphasised the value of the diaspora as “foot soldiers” who could promote Barbadian products in overseas markets. Recounting an experience in a Florida supermarket, he said: “I saw one in Florida, a shelf that was marked overseas treats. At the bottom, I saw Eclipse biscuits. Wouldn’t it be a wonderful thing for us to be able to have the opportunity and the agency overseas in order to make that package of biscuits move from the bottom to the level of one’s eyes or one’s shoulders?”

In addition to economic engagement, Symmonds highlighted the diaspora’s potential contributions in social and educational arenas. He shared a conversation with a Barbadian behavioural therapist working in the UK, emphasising the need for professionals like her to lend their expertise in Barbados.

“Wouldn’t it be a good and joyful thing if we can get just a few to work with us? Because those are concerns that we have,” he said, urging the diaspora to contribute more than financial remittances.

He also stressed the importance of capital investment from Barbadians abroad, pointing to gaps in Barbadian ownership of local businesses, particularly on the West Coast.

Symmonds urged the government to prioritise diaspora-focused policies, remarking: “We have never heard a budget in which, in this country, a special package of investment, an opportunity, a special package of incentive opportunity is set aside for small business people who are Barbadians overseas to come home and bring that business back to Barbados.”

But Barbados should support Barbadians abroad, too, Symmonds said.

“There are a number of Barbadians overseas who don’t have the easiest of times and who are literally struggling from time to time,” the senior minister acknowledged. “Just as those overseas have in the past sent home remittances to us to help families in need…we too have to be looking out for those Barbadians overseas.”

He pointed to global challenges that make it vital for Barbados to be more self-reliant, especially as many industrialised nations adopt inward-looking policies. Reflecting on this shift, Symmonds remarked: “Gone – I think, perhaps forever – are the days, at least for our generation, when they look at us and the first thing is, ‘what can we do to help you? How can we embrace you? How can we assist you?’”

“Nowadays, you are made to feel that immigration into some of these countries is an unwelcome thing,” he said, adding that phrases like “‘put America first’ or ‘make Britain great again’” reflect the current sentiment in many parts of the world.

“The fact of the matter is that there comes a time when an independent republic like ours must realise that… we must be true to ourselves, and we must be prepared to paddle our own canoe.” (RG)