Barbados Pushes Rural Microfinance

By: - September 28th, 2011

Above: Minister Denis Kellman

The small business sector is playing a key role in the recovery of the local economy in Barbados, Industry Minister Denis Kellman said at a speech to entrepreneurs in St Michael.

Much of that growth may come from the countries frontier areas, as the government has put in place a series of microenterprise grants, with a maximum of $3,000, that are available through the country’s Rural Development Commission.

“There is, and has always been, a clear relationship between small business and the economy, as much of the economic growth in most countries is fueled by start-up businesses.”

Kellman said he encouraged entrepreneurs producing similar products to come together and avoid the problem of attempting economies of scale.

“I suggest that this challenge can be overcome if entrepreneurs producing similar products come together and pool their expertise and resources,” he said. “Not only will production costs be reduced, but volume levels will be increased and maintained. The product will be available to consumers on a consistent basis.”

–Barbados Information Service

Barbados

In St Lucia, The Forensics of Cyberspace

By the Caribbean Journal staff Saint Lucian criminals may no longer be able to hide in cyberspace, if a new initiative by the government has its way. The “Identification and Seizure of Digital Evidence Training Programme,” which began yesterday for members of the Saint Lucia Police Force, is part of the anti-terrorism assistance programme initiative […]

Barbados

Employ More Caribbean Women in Conflict Mediation, Trinidad FM Tells UN

Above: Minister Dr Surujrattan Rambachan (UN Photo) By the Caribbean Journal staff Trinidad Foreign Minster Dr Surujrattan Rambachan called for the UN to recruit more women as mediators, especially from small island developing states like those in the Caribbean, saying that women must play a key role in conflict resolution and prevention. Rambachan was speaking […]

Barbados

Talking Baseball with Lynden Pindling III

Above: Lynden Pindling III (Photo: Rhodes College Athletics) By Alexander Britell It seems the Bahamas’ Pindling family is accustomed to charting new territory. Sir Lynden Pindling was the first Prime Minister of the Bahamas, and largely regarded as a national hero and one of the country’s founding fathers — indeed, Nassau’s international airport bears his […]

Cayman, China Sign Tax Agreement

By the Caribbean Journal staff The Cayman Islands and China announced an agreement on the exchange of tax information, following a formal signing today. The agreement was signed by Cayman Premier McKeeva Bush and China’s Madame Song Lan, the State Administration of Taxation Deputy Commissioner and Vice Minister. “This is the 26th signed agreement for […]

In St Kitts, A Move to Protect Witnesses

 Above: Justice Minister and Attorney General Patrice Nisbett (Photo: CUOPM) By the Caribbean Journal staff With increased incidence of witness tampering and other interference with criminal trials in St Kitts and Nevis, Attorney General Patrice Nisbett says new legislation has been introduced to tackle the problem. The Evidence Bill 2010 seeks to re-examine the law […]

Disabled in a Handicapped Country

By the Caribbean Journal staff The Cayman Islands and China announced an agreement on the exchange of tax information, following a formal signing today. The agreement was signed by Cayman Premier McKeeva Bush and China’s Madame Song Lan, the State Administration of Taxation Deputy Commissioner and Vice Minister. “This is the 26th signed agreement for […]

Jagdeo, IMF's Lagarde Meet

Above: Guyanese President Bharrat Jagdeo and IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde (Photos: GINA and IMF) Guyanese President Bharrat Jagdeo met Friday with the newly-appointed managing director of the International Monetary Fund, Christine Lagarde. The two officials spoke on the issue of climate change, and a new strategy when dealing with funds for battling climate change. […]