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Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Maxine McClean??
A number of local public and private sector agencies are representing Barbados in China, as that country hosts Expo 2010 Shanghai, the decade’s premier world fair that is expected to feature displays and exhibits from close to 190 countries.
Representatives from key sectors have been in Shanghai, China, for some time promoting Barbados’ products and services, as a forerunner to this weekend’s big day – July 17, the National Day for the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Pavilion. The Barbados Booth will be prominent on Saturday, as a special programme of activities has been scheduled by the Barbados Embassy in China, in conjunction with the CARICOM Secretariat.
The Barbados Industrial Development Corporation (BIDC), Invest Barbados and the Barbados Tourism Authority have come together to organise a number of promotional events to focus attention on this country as a premier location for business opportunities, investment, holiday and relaxation.
After the activities surrounding the Barbados Booth at the CARICOM Pavilion this coming Saturday, July 17, at least four other important events are expected to be held. The first is the Barbados Reception on July 19, which will essentially be a social networking occasion that will target the Chinese business community, particularly those persons who have expressed an interest in doing business with Barbados in the areas of manufacturing, industry and services. Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Maxine McClean, will make a presentation.
The following day, July 20, there will be a Barbados International Business Seminar. This event is designed to highlight the opportunities available to key Chinese businesses and investors, relative to the use of existing treaty structures and exposure to new markets.
Speakers will include persons from the Barbados Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade; the President of the Barbados Private Sector Organisation, Ben Arrindell, and other representatives of the Barbados private sector. The Minister of Tourism, Richard Sealy, will give the feature address at this seminar.
On July 21, investors from Shanghai and Beijing, as well as the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce, the Shanghai Federation of Industry and Commerce, and the Shanghai Foreign Investment Development Board, will be presented with another occasion to hear first-hand of other business prospects and possible joint ventures. That is when Invest Barbados and BIDC host an interactive Barbados Business Opportunity Workshop.
The official opening of the Barbados Embassy in Beijing will also take place next week. Former Prime Minister, Sir Lloyd Erskine Sandiford, is this country’s resident Ambassador to China.?? He took up his posting in January of this year.
While in Beijing, Foreign Minister, Senator McClean, is expected to have bilateral discussions with her Chinese counterparts.??