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The logo for Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison. (A. Miller/BGIS)

Government is on course to enact the Cultural Industries Development Bill and the Preservation of Antiquities and Relics Bill this year.

That is the word from Minister of Culture, Stephen Lashley, who said the two pieces of legislation were essential to the management of Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison. He made the comments on Monday at the West Wing of Parliament while addressing a ceremony to unveil a logo, jingle and Facebook page for Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison.

Mr. Lashley urged all Barbadians to secure copies of the Bills and submit their comments as soon as possible to his Ministry at the Warrens Office Complex.

He gave the assurance that "the Cultural Industries Development Bill, when enacted, will provide a number of incentives for persons who want to invest in the cultural sector; while the Preservation of Antiquities and Relics Bill seeks to protect Barbadian relics and antiquities from being plundered or lost to future generations".

The Minister pointed out that there were many benefits to be derived from the inscription of Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison as a World Heritage Site and listed some of them as the development of the cultural industries, as well as the creation of innovative opportunities for prospective cultural entrepreneurs.

"It will afford Barbadian entrepreneurs, particularly our young people, excellent opportunities to create business ventures in the production of a wide range of cultural goods and services. These include walking and virtual tours, the design and manufacture of souvenirs or clothing items, as well as the production of a variety of cultural events.

"… Another benefit of inscription is that Barbados will now have greater access to international financial and technical assistance for the preservation of its tangible and intangible heritage," he disclosed.

Mr. Lashley noted that the tourism sector and associated services would also receive several significant benefits from the inscription. "Research has shown that countries with World Heritage Sites have seen an overall increase of 30 to 40 per cent in visitor arrivals as a result of an inscription.?? Our nomination will undoubtedly serve as another platform on which to promote Barbados’ heritage and identity and encourage more visitors to our shores," he suggested.

Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison was inscribed on the World Heritage List on June 25, 2011, for its contribution to the development of the British Empire and the Atlantic World.

sharon.austigill-moore@barbados.gov.bb

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