Uphill Road for B'dos
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Established October 1895 ‘Create a national food security plan’ Page 5 Friday February 26, 2021 $2 VAT Inclusive Uphill road for B’dos AFTER expressing happiness at Barbados being removed from the “blacklist” of the European Union (EU), Minister Ronald Toppin cautioned that there was still an uphill battle to ensure that Barbados moved into an even better position. Toppin, the Minister of International Business and Industry, delivered these re- marks yesterday at the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Barbados (ICAB) Annual Tax Update Workshop. The minister thanked the ICAB members and other par- ticipants for organizing the we- binar on two major interna- tional initiatives, which are en- gaging the attention of the cur- rent Government. He explained OVERSEEING OPERATIONS: Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley (fourth from right) makes a point to persons awaiting that these were the engage- their first COVID-19 vaccine shot yesterday as she toured the Maurice Byer Polyclinic in St. Peter with key health officials to ob- ments with the European serve the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme in action. The Prime Minister was accompanied by Minister of Health and Wellness Lt Union and also with the Global Col Jeffrey Bostic (centre) and other health officials. (See also Page 3) Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes. “I believe that most, if not all, of you would have heard by now that on Monday of this week, the EU announced that it had LOCKDOWN EASE removed Barbados from its list of “uncooperative” countries, un- pleasantly called the blacklist, and moved us to Annex II, their state of play or grey list,” said the minister. Toppin explained that Annex II was basically a monitoring FROM MONDAY list, and Barbados would re- main on this list pending the COME Monday, Barbados PM Mottley announces relaxed taken following meetings with outcome of the Peer Review of will be “climbing slowly the Health Ministry and the the Global Forum supplemen- back to normality” with a measures but warns ‘stay the course’ Cabinet’s sub-committee on tary examination scheduled for phased reopening. permitted by restaurants and nod to operate from Monday to Covid-19. later this year.The minister ex- Last night, Prime Minister fast food outlets. Saturday, however no commer- “The science and efforts of all panded by saying that Mia Mottley announced that “With respect to administra- cial activity will be authorised recognise sharp shutdown but Barbados was happy about this several businesses will now be tive offices, professional services, on Sundays, with the exception gradual reopening. That is the change of status, especially due allowed to resume operations parts and repair operations and of gas stations. advice that we have been ad- to the fact that Barbados had following the month-long na- government entities such as the In addition to the current 6 vised to take and it is the one and has no legislative deficien- tional pause aimed at reducing law courts, the registry and the a.m. to 9 a.m. opening of beaches that we shall take,” she stressed. cies. He also highlighted that the spread of COVID-19 in the post office, I am advising corpo- and parks, Barbadians have the Noting that pleasure craft op- the island was facing severe country. rate registry that theses can and thumbs up to exercise in these erations, gyms, massage par- pressure in grappling with the From March 1, persons em- should reopen using minimum areas from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m. lours, indoor and outdoors COVID-19 pandemic in the ployed in outdoor activities such physical staff necessary to offer However, the 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. sports will not be allowed to re- midst of an economic recovery as construction, agriculture, a satisfactory level of service to nighttime curfew remains in ef- sume at this time, Mottley also programme. farming, fishing, manufacturing the public.We expect that in the fect. told clothing stores, barbers, The minister referenced the and auto mechanics can return next two weeks that it is really “We are getting a little ease, hairdressers and nail techni- fact that the placement of to normal work activity. Also, only urgent things that people but we are not yet out of the cians “we are going to get to Barbados on Annex II by the hardware, appliance, farm and will concentrate on recognising woods,” she said during her you”. EU, was contingent on the gardening, plumbing, electronic that we are not yet where we hour-long address, as the island The PM outlined that OECD Global Forum approving and IT stores will be allowed to want to be, but we cannot keep continues to deal with high Attorney General Dale Marshall the application of Barbados for open their doors. commerce closed in this coun- numbers of positive cases. will give further details on the a supplementary review of the Curb-side pickups, drive thru try,” she added. Mottley stated the decision to phased reopening on Saturday. TOPPIN on Page 2 operations and deliveries will be These businesses have the reopen gradually had been (JMB) 2 • Friday February 26, 2021 The Barbados Advocate Work still ongoing Refocus to reinvest TOPPIN from Page 1 which make up the committee compliance of Barbados with its include the Anti-money Exchange of Information stan- Laundering Authority (AMLA), IDB meets with Governors of the Caribbean countries dard. only in relation to its regulation He then commended the ef- of Designated Non-Financial THE COVID-19 pandemic, espe- and the impetus on the other fort of both the Barbados Business Persons (DNFBPs), cially when coupled with natural side of the pandemic”. Revenue Authority and the The Corporate Affairs and disasters which afflicted the Mr. Claver-Carone was at the Ministry of International Intellectual Property Office Caribbean, have left many time addressing the opening of Business Unit for the consider- (CAIPO), the BRA and the IBU. economies and societies reeling, the 10th Annual Meeting of able work done, to ensure that “This is to ensure that we stay says President of the Inter- Caribbean Governors, yesterday. the bid to have a supplemen- focussed and keep the momen- American Development Bank High level Government officials tary review was successful. tum in addressing the outstand- (IDB) Mauricio Claver-Carone. from The Bahamas, Barbados, “Let me state, however, and ing issues in preparation for the However, he told Caribbean Guyana, Jamaica, Suriname, strongly so, that the road ahead upcoming onsite inspection by Governors that the economic and and Trinidad &Tobago met vir- is still uphill, with goal posts the OECD. In addition, we have societal weaknesses that have tually with the Bank’s Executive changing ever so often, and taken the initiative to submit been revealed during this period Leadership Team to discuss the that, despite this early success, periodic updates to officials of should convince them that now, region’s development priorities there is still work to be done as the Secretariat of the Global more than ever, “we can recover for the post-COVID era. we aim, as a Government, to so Forum on progress in address- – we can do so; we must do so During the two-day meeting, position ourselves that the ing areas of concern,” said with a refocus to reinvest”. Mr. Claver-Caron will present probability of EU countries tak- Toppin. “The Caribbean needs new, IDB’s vision in 2025 as a guide to ing defensive measures against The Minister of International more efficient, effective and re- reinvesting in the Americas, Barbadian entities is greatly Business and Industry reas- silient ways to take care of busi- called “A Decade of minimized,” cautioned Toppin. sured those listening that the ness. We need new spaces, new Opportunities”. The EU is scheduled to up- Government was confident that standards, new organising prin- “In short, our goal must be to date the list in October 2021, Barbados would overcome all of ciples for our economies and in- emerge from this difficult period and according to Toppin, work these challenges. stitutions in order to really as a more competitive, more sus- continues assiduously to “And critical to achieving this, achieve the sustainable develop- tainable, more resilient region in achieve a successful outcome are both the understanding and ment gains that we all desire. which our people are empowered from the Supplementary partnership of all the stakehold- We need better infrastructure, to live up to their true potential,” Review and thereby ensure that ers such as those of you here both analog and digital to make he stressed. Barbados is removed from any today.We need to work together trade and industries more com- “It is going to take a lot of work list for tax purposes. to ensure that Barbados not petitive, to attract new sources of and a lot of ambition on the part The minister stated that the only weathers the storms, but, investment and to generate qual- of our governments, societies, Government has established a indeed, repositions itself to bask ity jobs. We could really improve and right here on the part of IDB committee, with Toppin as in the sunshine.We can and will lives and livelihoods today President of the Inter- -I take it with great responsibil- Chairman, which meets on a achieve this,” encouraged the through smart reforms and take American Development Bank ity and I believe that we need to weekly basis. The agencies minister. (AS) advantage of the opportunities, (IDB) Mauricio Claver-Carone. seize this moment.” The Barbados Advocate Friday February 26, 2021 • 3 Vaccination numbers Approximately 12.5 per cent of increasing population vaccinated BARBADOS has surpassed we ourselves need to strengthen there’s a sense of happiness the 25 000 mark for persons ourselves and we also need to when people receive the vacci- on the island receiving the step up to the plate.” nation.” Oxford AstraZeneca vac- Prime Minister Mottley ac- Prime Minister Mottley also cine.