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AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum 2022 – Closer Ties a Must

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The ongoing pandemic has given impetus finally to governments in the region assigning additional resources to improving food security. Barbados in the period has been developing a closer relationship with Guyana and we have seen cooperation to increase black belly sheep production to satisfy local and some regional demand for lamb. There are additional initiatives we hope to see bear fruit in the coming weeks and months mentioned in a previous blog – Government Initiatives to Address Food Supply – The St. Barnabas Accord. Last week Minister of Agriculture reported there is a plan to slash food import bill by 20% when a food terminal is established in Barbados with the help of Guyana. It is a reminder the founders of CARIFTA envisioned Guyana to be the bread basket of the Caribbean almost 50 years ago.

Yesterday a direct flight – a first from Nigeria – to bring delegates to attend a 3-day investment forum one may argue is the result of the effort of the government to forge close ties with some African countries to create business of opportunities. The AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum will take place in Barbados from September 1-3.  The forum represents an opportunity for the Caribbean and African private sectors  to explore opportunities for trade and address challenges that have historically prevented deeper collaboration.  The forum is being hosted by the African Export-Import Bank. The blogmaster is hopeful there is meaningful collaboration coming out of the engagement.

In a previous BU blog – Barbados based Fintechs on the MOVE the entry of Barbadian Fintech companies was highlighted and from reports have been reaping success on the African continent. It bears no reminder that 95 percent of Barbadian are of African descent, we therefore share a historical bond. 

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174 responses to “AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum 2022 – Closer Ties a Must”

  1. 555dubstreet Avatar
    555dubstreet

    Perhaps the Black-Black collaboration should have a heavier emphasis on Roots and Culture Arts and Crafts Music and Dance etc
    African Race (Original Jamaican Mix)

    African Race / The Abyssinians
    We are the slave descendants of the African race,
    African race, the African race.
    We are the slave descendants of the African race,
    Where proud is no disgrace.

    Our forefathers were taken away, taken away, taken away.
    They were bound in ships and shackled all the way,
    Like baggage and brought the west.

    They swapped my brother now, also, my sister too
    For a drink of wine, so they could drink and be merry,
    So they could drink and be merry.

    I speak Amharic, my sister speaks Swahili
    They put us together now, that’s why we can’t understand,
    That’s why we can’t understand.

    We are the slave descendants of the African race,
    African race, the African race.
    We are the slave descendants of the African race,
    Where proud is no disgrace,
    We’re proud of our African race (is no disgrace)
    Where proud is no disgrace,
    We’re proud of our African race (is no disgrace)
    X2

  2. David Avatar
    David

    https://barbadosunderground.files.wordpress.com/2022/09/africaribbean-trade-and-investment.png

  3. David Avatar
    David

    https://www.facebook.com/gisbarbados/videos/364114315936194/

  4. 555dubstreet Avatar
    555dubstreet

    I/O
    Input
    Process
    Output
    Declaration of Rights
    what is happening with the project for a new constitution for a new republic white paper for all stakeholders involved
    will Barbados become part of the African Union
    which would freak out all the baldheads of Wicked Babylon
    but would be a nod towards the natty dreads who fight them

  5. 555dubstreet Avatar
    555dubstreet

    The Betrayer
    Bag O Wire sold Marcus Garvey for Rice and Peas… Does being a sell out pay off.

    The Black Star Liner
    Dub Salute

    Africa / Africa Dub

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqhZ2mMPV6Y

  6. 555dubstreet Avatar
    555dubstreet

    They are never wicked. Above all, we must avoid the pitfalls of tribalism. If we are divided among ourselves on tribal lines, we open our doors to foreign intervention and its potentially harmful consequences.
    Haile Selassie

  7. David Avatar
    David

    PM says political will needed to form deeper links with Africa

    https://www.nationnews.com/2022/09/01/pm-says-political-will-needed-form-deeper-links-africa/

  8. Kammie Holder Avatar
    Kammie Holder

    David et Al, I am attending and there is much excitement in the room. It’s indeed correct to say political will is the primer to set off true tangible results.

    Truth, be told I did not see the Caribbean leaders like Gestapo Browne, Comrade Ralph, Cowboy Holness, Young fella from Grenada.

    In my humble estimation this is too important for these guys to have stayed away, optics, optics, is everything second only to perception!

    Made a lot of contacts, and found solutions to my ideas. However, GOB will have to look at some mechanism to allow citizens to defer taxes once proof can provided that personal income is invested overseas and income will be repatriated back to Barbados.

    Finally, any person who provides a service or sell as product who missed this free conference either is not paying attention to the potential of access to over 1 billion customers.

  9. David Avatar
    David

    Thanks Kammie. Mia is saying all the right things. We can only hope. The blogmaster is also following with interest.

  10. African Online Publishing Copyright ⓒ 2022. All Rights Reserved Avatar
    African Online Publishing Copyright ⓒ 2022. All Rights Reserved

    Pacha….and on and on…..that’s why i had to shift focus…

    so what are all these “right things”

    start wrong END WRONG…

    no, ya do not need neocolonial “political will”….to access ya AFRIKAN ANCESTRAL LANDS….ya need ANCESTRAL WILL…,,,which politicans created in the image whiteness and ANTI-AFRIKAN RHETORIC still don’t have…

    injecting the POISONS OF WHITE POLITICS is the wrong start….

    but ya can’t know that when ya CUT OFF FROM YA ANCESTORS and refuse to RECONNECT…

  11. African Online Publishing Copyright ⓒ 2022. All Rights Reserved Avatar
    African Online Publishing Copyright ⓒ 2022. All Rights Reserved

    which politicans created in the image OF whiteness and ANTI-AFRIKAN RHETORIC still don’t have…

  12. 555dubstreet Avatar
    555dubstreet

    One World
    One Love
    There is a White World
    There is a Black World
    Barbados has to know itself.
    Mia has been to Africa and knows herself.

  13. African Online Publishing Copyright ⓒ 2022. All Rights Reserved Avatar
    African Online Publishing Copyright ⓒ 2022. All Rights Reserved

    “Finally, any person who provides a service or sell as product who missed this free conference either is not paying attention to the potential of access to over 1 billion customers.”

    while it’s nice to kickstart AFRIKAN THEMED BUSINESS ENDEAVORS….just remeber that those 1 BILLION “customers” are your COUSINS and not your TARGETS…

  14. 555dubstreet Avatar
    555dubstreet

    Africans are Rastas
    But, Barbadians aren’t
    TEACH THE CHILDREN + BLACK WORLD ⬥Dr Alimantado & Black World All Stars⬥

  15. African Online Publishing Copyright ⓒ 2022. All Rights Reserved Avatar
    African Online Publishing Copyright ⓒ 2022. All Rights Reserved

    “Nigeria Becomes First Country To Ban Foreign Models in Advertisments”

    in the SPIRIT OF KEEPING IT AFRIKAN…using this as your guide is ESSENTIAL..

  16. African Online Publishing Copyright ⓒ 2022. All Rights Reserved Avatar
    African Online Publishing Copyright ⓒ 2022. All Rights Reserved

    shedding the white minds is a good idea..

    the black skin, white mask. approach is redundant and extinct…

    “The move, which is the first of its kind, will take effect in October and follows the Federal Government’s pledge that promises to develop local talent, drive inclusive economic growth, and promote the advertising industry in Nigeria.

    The Times of London reports that the ban will cover all non-Nigerians as well as a number of western, white actors who have appeared regularly on the country’s television adverts.”

  17. David Avatar
    David

    @Kammie

    The first thing the region has to resolve is establishing reason air links. The challenge however is if we struggle to do same in the region what hope is there this to happen if we are serious about creating meaningful relationships and opportunities.

  18. 555dubstreet Avatar
    555dubstreet

    Subtle References often go over people’s heads

    Abstract. This chapter explores attempts made to reclaim antiquity from European ownership by the Black biblical hermeneutic tradition.

    6 6 ‘Ethiopia shall stretch forth her hands unto God’: Garveyism, Rastafari, and Antiquity

    The argument focuses upon the political philosophies and cosmologies of Marcus Garvey and the Rastafari movement in order to investigate how they reconfigure antiquity as African by virtue of the material and spiritual prominence they give to Ethiopia instead of Greece and Rome. The chapter also explores the differing registers used by Garveyism and Rastafari to achieve this aim – the former developmentalist, the later cosmological. The argument suggests that Garveyism and Rastafari, and the shift made by the later towards a cosmological understanding of antiquity, deserve serious and critical consideration in the ongoing project to decolonize the heritage and ownership of the Classical world.

    Mighty Threes
    Africa Shall Stretch Forth Her Hand

  19. David Avatar
    David

    Bridging the Gap

    Caribbean seize the moment and African countries must moment now, says Mottley
    Do not waste this opportunity to “bridge the history” that has long separated Africa and the Caribbean.

    This was the urging of Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley as she delivered the keynote address at the opening ceremony of the AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum, which got under way at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre yesterday. In her remarks, which prompted a standing ovation at the end, Mottley pointed out that both regions have had similar opportunities in the past, but lacked the will to take the process all the “It must not escape us that we come to cooperate today, 100 years after that decade that had the greatest amount of Pan-African congresses, first in 1919 and then four more in the 1920s. When independence came, they waned and waned and waned, the last one being in 2014. The fact that in the post-independence era 80 years that we only had three or four, should speak volumes about our lack of consciousness, our lack of focus and our lack of determination to bridge the history that separated us,” said Mottley.
    She made it clear that now was the time for the requisite change in consciousness and focus when it comes to forging closer bonds between Africa and the Caribbean, noting that in so Caribbean. she the AfriCaribbean which
    Erskine
    her standing pointed similar lacked way.
    years greatest congresses, in came, waned, fact over or determination separated was in comes Africa so doing vast mutual benefits could be unlocked.
    “I hope that we are turning this corner for the very last time. The reuniting of our people that would create opportunities, more opportunities for our tourism providers in the Caribbean, who continue to price product between winter and summer as if we see snow. They also forget that our market is not only North Atlantic countries who see snow, but our market only requires us to look across at each other and not only to look up. If through our partnership, we can remove from the Caribbean that awful period of summer tourism, where our average daily rates are a fraction of what we can achieve during the winter, then our bond of friendship and trade would have worked for us,” Mottley said.
    Cradle of civilisation
    She continued: “If we can equally allow people to return to the continent of Africa, not just of West Africa but also to East Africa, to the cradle of civilisation, to be able to build on the partnerships of recent times, we can also deem this a success . . . I believe that our ability to work together is based on premise and knowing each other. Not only do we want, as we have started to see, banks, we need insurance companies, tour and travel companies, we need heritage companies.”
    The Prime Minister said these missed opportunities for closer cooperation in areas such as trade, had cost both regions dearly, leaving them to depend solely on those with imperialistic interest.
    “If we can make real in this period of our lives, the aspirations of hundreds of millions of people, then the confidence that was placed in us to take responsibility for the future that sees and hears people in ways that they were not seen and heard for centuries, then we would have done our part on this journey. It is not anticipated that we can reverse centuries in a few years, but it is anticipated that there are some who must claim the courage to jump off the ship and make it happen.”
    “I hope that the indignity that has been foisted upon our people to require in transit visas or to pay prices that have no bearing on the cost of production but simply because that middle man has loomed large. If we don’t deal with these things, then we would perpetuate ourselves to another generation of simply being someone else’s pawn,” Mottley stressed. (CLM)

    Source: Nation

  20. David Avatar
    David

    Related…

    Green light for 10% VAT in Suriname

    PARAMARIBO – The National Assembly (DNA) late Tuesday gave the green light to the Dutch-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) implementing a ten per cent value added tax (VAT) even as several business organisations, including the Suriname Business Association (SBA), the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) and the Association of Surinamese Manufacturers (ASM) had urged legislators to approve a lesser VAT.
    By a vote of 26 to 12, with the main opposition National Democratic Party (NDP) voting against the measure and the NPS, one of the government partners supporting the legislation “under duress”.
    Ivanildo Plein, one of the three government legislators voted in favour, while the other two including NPS leader Gregory Russia and Patricia Etnel stayed away from the vote in protest.
    Plein said while the NPS is in favour of introducing VAT to replace turnover tax, the party had urged the government of President Chan Santokhi to reconsider its ten per cent proposal and come up with a lower rate.
    However, the NPS said it found the five per cent proposal by the opposition unrealistic because it would not achieve the government’s objectives, such as a reduction in payroll taxes from January 1, 2023.
    “We are going to vote for it under protest and conditions, at least I am,” said Plein, adding “the condition is that other tax-relieving laws are passed before January 1, 2023, so that they can enter into force together with the VAT.”
    He said the NPS’ position should signal to the government that the party is “not happy with the ten per cent VAT but are cooperating
    in the greater interest”.
    The VAT will be levied as of January 1, 2023.
    One other opposition party, the BEP, abstained from voting with its leader, Ronny Asabina saying that the VAT should be less than ten per cent.
    Finance and Planning Minister Armand Achaibersing said with a rate of five per cent, the government would run into problems with other tax-reducing measures and the social safety net.
    But NDP legislators argued that living in Suriname will become “more unbearable” and they would have preferred the government starting at a five per cent level and increasing it if necessary.
    Earlier this month, the business and employers’ organizations had proposed a five per cent VAT and in a 15-page letter to the National Assembly, outlined various proposals to amend the VAT law.
    They warned that the legislation will have a “serious disruptive effect on the already fragile economy”. In addition, they argue that the goals, such as increasing government revenue, will hardly be achieved compared to the damage it will do to the competitive position of businesses among themselves and already severely weakened purchasing power of society. ( CMC)

  21. 555dubstreet Avatar
    555dubstreet

    Rasta Business
    Dub (Dub)

  22. 555dubstreet Avatar
    555dubstreet

    Black World

  23. 555dubstreet Avatar
    555dubstreet

    Dig Deeper and find Jah links

    This World

  24. African Online Publishing Copyright ⓒ 2022. All Rights Reserved Avatar
    African Online Publishing Copyright ⓒ 2022. All Rights Reserved

    and of course ya won’t see this on BU either….but a number of Afrikan descents from the diaspora were CAUGHT trying FRONT for whites and other corrupt minorities…who have their greedy, covetous, envious eyes on our continent…

    so the little williams and other corrupt minorities black boys and girls should be aware……play the part of judases and slaves at your own risk…

  25. 555dubstreet Avatar
    555dubstreet

    Tribute To Studio One reworks Heptones Gonna Fight / Hail Don D. (classy studio one rocksteady vocal plus horns version mixed) as modern steppers

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpYwh9ciIj4

  26. Wily Coyote Avatar
    Wily Coyote

    Wily has a only one question, what is it costing Barbados to host and pay for this, flights, hotels, food, etc.

  27. 555dubstreet Avatar
    555dubstreet

    War on Whomever is going solo without Pupa Pacha to do the call and response song rotuine so she is reverting back to the standard Holding Letter text of minorities conspiracies in her mind which should be taken with a large golfball size pinch of salt while she awaits further guidance and instruction how to proceed in the matter at hand from her Bossman

    In the meanwhile chill out like Black Uhuru and the sexy Puma Jones would say
    Presenting the Right Tracks
    Check out this version of Leroy’s Sibbles classic composition Guiding Star for the freaked electonics on ‘Morning star’ as an absolute shocker.

    Guiding Star

    Morning Star

  28. 555dubstreet Avatar
    555dubstreet

    Delroy Wilson’s Rain From The Sky Vs Bullwackies All Stars: Rain from the Cloud

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVAtXgnTnJs

  29. 555dubstreet Avatar
    555dubstreet

    Skylarking Skylarking

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lstyKYWwIxQ

  30. 555dubstreet Avatar
    555dubstreet

    This is another of those Bu articles that has appeal to the young and beautiful and not old Buers.
    There is opportunity out there for them still with their life ahead who are strong with energy and vitality and are open to new experience and not living in their head with memories too set in their ways to adapt and change and probably could not climatise to the heat. Wicked dem a burn.

    Drifter
    Dennis Walks

    Recording Connection
    Bullwackie’s All Stars

  31. David Avatar
    David

    There is nothing negative that can be said. It is a useful forum that is ongoing and pregnant with opportunities for the region.

  32. Kammie Holder Avatar
    Kammie Holder

    @Willy Coyote, if you can find it possible to research the conference details the answer may be provided of who are the main sponsors. We often know the cost of everything but seldom the value!

  33. African Online Publishing Copyright ⓒ 2022. All Rights Reserved Avatar
    African Online Publishing Copyright ⓒ 2022. All Rights Reserved

    Staying abreast of the NEWS ON THE CONTINENT is VERY, VERY IMPORTANT, i only post things to my sites that are integral to the topics covered quarterly, or certain stories to my newsreel and none to BU…..unless i drop an article here and there…

    .so it is incumbent on those descents seeking to do business in Afrika to know at all times what is happening…

  34. Donna Avatar
    Donna

    One can only hope that this will not be another false start.

    I am liking the reaching out to partner with the Caribbean and Africa.

    As I see it, it is our only hope.

    Where some see negatives, I see only positives.

    I can only hope that our political leaders have at least grasped this one fact -the only way for black people to become independent is to depend on each other.

    I live in hope. Without hope, life is not worth living.

  35. Donna Avatar
    Donna

    David,

    I think our people are ready to pivot. I don’t think that the negative view of Africa persists as before.

  36. 555dubstreet Avatar
    555dubstreet

    Shining Star ✰⋆🌟✪🔯✨⭐✨

  37. 555dubstreet Avatar
    555dubstreet

    There is a difference between talking and doing

    To Africa Dub

    East Africa Dub

  38. William Skinner Avatar
    William Skinner

    There is nobody in their right minds who will throw cold water on efforts to trade more with Africa and to continue to hope that we get CARICOM absolutely right eventually.
    CARICOM has had some success over the years but unfortunately these positives are seldom highlighted.
    The efforts to have stronger links with Africa go back to the 60s and possibly before.
    It is a tribute to all the Black nationalists, who were marginalized and despised for having that progressive vision over a half century ago.
    Peace.

  39. David Avatar
    David

    Thanks Kammie. The things that make you go eh what?

  40. David Avatar
    David

    @Donna

    Let us hope so, we have had too many opportunities to do so.

  41. African Online Publishing Copyright ⓒ 2022. All Rights Reserved Avatar
    African Online Publishing Copyright ⓒ 2022. All Rights Reserved

    “The efforts to have stronger links with Africa go back to the 60s and possibly before.
    It is a tribute to all the Black nationalists, who were marginalized and despised for having that progressive vision over a half century ago.”

    it will work NOW ONCE Afrikan descents COME TO THE REALIZATION that they are NOW FREE…….and do not allow those with their stockholm syndrome and other narrow SELF LIMITING disabilities convince them otherwise..

    the SKY IS NOW THE LIMIT…..the only thing stopping them is THEM from reaching into the stratosphere…

  42. NorthernObserver Avatar
    NorthernObserver

    The idea of “free ports”, tax free or duty free zones, and overall cargo handling facilities throughout the region was most interesting.
    A glaring weakness was technology.
    A good read.
    The lack of listed potential projects in Africa was also noted.

  43. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    Kendal Plantation in St John, one of the island’s major dairy production facilities, is being sold for $25 million. And it seems, the likely buyer will be boosting the dairy facilities at the expansive property and focusing on food production.

    https://barbadostoday.bb/2022/09/02/plantation-up-for-sale/

  44. 555dubstreet Avatar
    555dubstreet

    The day is yet to come when our music will be old
    Listen people listen to my song
    Roots rock reggae music rocking rocking to yours
    But now I sing my song I will never do wrong
    We are all sufferer in this here time
    Society want I live like them
    But I and I come and no congregate
    In this here time I and I got to be strong
    Because reggae music is I and I kind of song
    Reggae music roots music in a wackies studio
    Roots music sweet music in a wackies studio
    Now listen people I and I got to be gone
    listen to my song
    Love We All Need, Happy Love
    Roots Rock Special, Wackies,

  45. African Online Publishing Copyright ⓒ 2022. All Rights Reserved Avatar
    African Online Publishing Copyright ⓒ 2022. All Rights Reserved

    Heard a clip from the conference with i think it was the rep from Bahamas stating that the “chains that once bound hands and feet are now binding the minds” and quoted both Marcus Garvey and Bob Marley in urging people to “emancipate themselves from mental slavery”

    it’s very clear that’s the only thing HOLDING BACK and SEVERELY RESTRICTING Afrikan descents in Barbados and across the Caribbean including the wider diaspora…

  46. African Online Publishing Copyright ⓒ 2022. All Rights Reserved Avatar
    African Online Publishing Copyright ⓒ 2022. All Rights Reserved

    btw…one of the dudes from Aswad, lead singer and drummer……a long time reggae favorite passed away…

  47. 555dubstreet Avatar
    555dubstreet

    My friend (Zeb who passed 2019) was a school friend of Drummie Zeb who just passed
    He also said Brindsley Forde the singer of Aswad was a big head

    Dub Fire

    Warrior Charge

  48. Dullard Avatar
    Dullard

    Africans are Rastas But, Barbadians aren’t,…
    ….says the coolie (wo)man

    Lol can’t make up this madness..lol

  49. David Avatar
    David

    ITC and Afreximbank take action to unlock U.S. $1B trade potential

    https://www.nationnews.com/2022/09/02/itc-afreximbank-take-joint-action-unlock-u-s-1b-trade-potential/

  50. David Avatar
    David

    If some of you cannot add value to this subject, go away.

The blogmaster invites you to join the discussion.

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