The UNESCO Heritage site in central Edinburgh is the home of the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood, and seated in one of its dining rooms are members of a local group called Business Friends Of Barbados (BFB).
Scottish National Party (SNP) Councillor Sean Wilson is the host and shares the group’s objective of informing local businessmen about investment opportunities in Barbados. In his response, businessman John Jackson, a fellow Scot and BFB board member, gave an overview of the group’s achievements so far.
Expatriate Barbadian Ian Gittens is the Chair and founder of the group. He immigrated to the UK in the 1970s to pursue a career in financial services. After settling in Edinburgh, he was inspired by the then-Barbados High Commissioner Edwin Pollard to use his expertise to expand business links with Bim. Another High Commissioner, Hugh Arthur, further exemplified this, referring him to the Commonwealth Caribbean Cross Party Group. Now retired, Ian continues to work for his “beloved Barbados.”
In his address, fellow board member Barbadian Shane Thomas told his audience that Barbados has ambitions to become a “digitally enabled nation” and is well on track to achieving the goal of one hundred per cent renewable energy generation by 2030, delivering a carbon-net-neutral target. He updated them on the various exploration sectors, including niche manufacturing, global banking, information and computer technology (ICT), global education, food and drink, wealth management, insurance, renewable energy, and medical tourism.
“The opportunity is ideal for those looking for more information and greater links with Scotland,” said Shane, who resides in Glasgow and works on behalf of Invest Barbados.
John Jackson, a fellow Scot and BFB board member, gave an overview of the group’s achievements so far.
One of the attendees and beneficiaries of this business initiative over recent years is Abergower CEO Robin Prior. Prior has worked with various government bodies in Barbados for over four years, most notably the National Library Services and the Barbados National Archives.
A recent blaze sparked by a lightning strike at the Archives Department has ruined scores of documents, including many documenting the Liberia-Barbados connection, and has left Prior saddened. “I’m quite aware of the quality of archives as we have built close relationships with staff over the years.”
He continued, “Digital Government is a clear objective for the Barbados Government, and we are very keen to help, work on, and support the aim of moving paper-based information to digital content, especially in the context of the island’s cultural history and heritage, which is one of its greatest assets for this and future generations.
Chairman Ian Gittens closed the event by saying, “It has been a good day, and we hope to have many more similar sessions.”
Tyrone Roach
