Cyprus is keen on sharing its best practices with Barbados.

This was acknowledged recently as that country???s High Commissioner to this island, Georgios Chacalli, paid a courtesy call on Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Maxine McClean, at her Culloden Road office.

???We could look to see how we can exchange best practices when it comes to banking and the tourism industry, and perhaps Barbados would be interested in these experiences,??? Mr. Chacalli said.

He pointed out that the two countries could enhance cooperation in the tourism industry by exchanging best practices on how they both cope with demands of new legislations and standards that have to be maintained.

The Washington-based High Commissioner to Barbados also spoke of the successes in renewable energy, noting that Cyprus had achieved much in the areas of solar energy, both in household heating and cooling, which were now 100 per cent solar-powered.

He said also that in the area of desalination, that country had developed ways to produce energy, and had mandated all hotels to establish their own desalination unit.

Senator McClean, in welcoming the assistance, noted Barbados had ???a good relationship??? with Cyprus and looked forward to continuing in this vein and particularly with the initiatives in the area of training.??She praised Cyprus??? level of penetration in solar energy, and said it would be of interest to Barbados to learn from their experiences.

???For many years, we have utilised solar but limited more in terms of water heating. In recent years, a number of households have been investing in this based on the legislation and incentives Government has put in place to facilitate that,??? said the Minister, stressing that it would prove interesting for technical personnel in the Ministry of Energy and some private entrepreneurs, who had invested in that area.

On the issue of desalination, the Foreign Trade Minister remarked that this was important for Barbados given the increasing demand in our tourism sector for water.

She told the High Commissioner: ???That again is something we can look at. For example, we have on the cards the construction of some new hotels and that may be a consideration. Our hotels are also on the coast, so that again allows for easier utilisation of that type of cooperation.

???We are considered a water scarce country and certainly for us that is something that has been contemplated. The Barbados Water Authority could have some discussions with you to see how you can be of assistance???It is important for us as a small island to look at models that perhaps allow for easier replication.???

The two officials also discussed issues of waste management and efforts towards the completion of a Double Taxation Agreement, which they anticipated could be concluded by year end. Barbados and Cyprus established diplomatic relations in 1972.

joy-ann.gill@barbados.gov.bb

Pin It on Pinterest