Barbados has been assured that Canada remains an ally and is committed to strengthening its partnership with the Government and people of Barbados.
This assurance was given on Monday, November 21, during a courtesy call with the new Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Kerrie Symmonds and Canada’s High Commissioner to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean States, Lilian Chatterjee, at the Ministry’s headquarters, Culloden Road, St. Michael.
Minister Symmonds expressed that Barbados values its relationship with Canada and that he looks forward to a more robust and meaningful engagement with Canada during his tenure.
In response, High Commissioner Chatterjee noted that engaging regularly with Barbados is a priority for Canada and the country was keen to continue working together on security cooperation and trade matters.
In addition, the two officials also discussed the Caribbean-Canada Trade Agreement (CARIBCAN); renewable energy; access to finance with regard to the vulnerability index; the climate crisis; Bretton Woods Institutions; correspondent banking and marine technology.
Also present at the meeting were: Permanent Secretary, Simone Rudder; Senior Foreign Service Officer, Euclid Goodman; Foreign Service Officer, Nicole Parris; Canada’s Counsellor (commercial) and Senior Trade Commissioner, Marthe Lemay and Canada’s Counsellor (Political), Miriam van Nie.
The Canadian Government has maintained a trade office in Barbados since 1907 and a formal diplomatic mission was established in Bridgetown in 1973.