Borne out of an idea to recognise the invaluable contribution that Barbadians living overseas have played in shaping this country???s national development, this year???s Barbados Network Consultation (BNC) promises to be even bigger and better than previous years.

A biennial event first launched in 2010, the BNC is Government???s way of not only deepening relations with Barbadians overseas, but also to highlight the outstanding contributions made by our nationals who have aided in this country???s growth.

Under the theme: One Nation, One Family ??? Building Pathways to Prosperity and Development, exhibitors, business persons and companies participating this year will get the chance to promote their products and or services to the Barbadian Diaspora community, and to establish linkages with them that would serve long-term market interest.

And, according to Economist in the Ministry of Industry, International Business, Commerce and Small Business Development, Psyche Burke, there has been overwhelming response from Barbadians in the diaspora.

???To date, a number of persons have registered for the consultation as well as contacted the Ministry expressing interest in showcasing their products and services???

We are hoping that persons from the diaspora, when they come and they see the types of products and services that we have to offer and the quality of these products, they would be desirous of not only purchasing, but when they get back home introduce other persons to the products and services which Barbados has to offer,??? Ms. Burke stated.

A collaborative effort between the Ministry of Industry, International Business, Commerce and Small Business Development, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, this year???s Network Consultation will feature a number of exhibitions. One such display titled: Pathways to Barbadian Products and Services, will be mounted by the Ministry of Commerce.

???We are hoping that BNC 2014 would create opportunities for persons to invest in some of these companies, and therefore help to increase the target market that they would have. With regards to the consultation, you have to pay to attend but the exhibition is actually going to be free to the general public. So, you don???t just have persons from the diaspora,??? the Economist said.

The Ministry official also added that the products and services on display range from manufacturing, art and craft, education, tourism, media, services, consulting, culture and telecoms, to insurance.

???BNC is a great opportunity to come out and network, as well as interact with our fellow Barbadians from the Diaspora community. I want to therefore encourage people who have not heard about the BNC to use this occasion to forge linkages that could help to improve or serve their businesses in the long run. ??Additionally, I want individuals to know that the products and services on display will be of the highest quality, and they would be traditionally Barbadian-made products and services,??? she stressed.

Persons can visit the website barbadosnetwork@foreign.gov.bb, to learn more about the consultation, to see what will be discussed, and the different types of presentations on offer.

Further information may be obtained by contacting Psyche Burke at the Ministry of Industry, International Business, Commerce and Small Business Development, at 427-5270 or by emailing psyche_burke@barbados.gov.bb.

The Barbados Network Consultation 2014 will be held from August 5 to 7 at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre, Two Mile Hill, St. Michael.

theresa.blackman@barbados.gov.bb

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