Better linkages between Barbados, Grenada possible

DR. KEITH MITCHELL, Prime Minister of Grenada, has pointed out several avenues for greater collaboration and co-operation between Barbados and his home country, noting that in areas such as trade, travel and the sharing of skills, linkages can be developed.

Prime Minister Mitchell shared the above during an interview with local media last week Wednesday in Collymore Rock, St. Michael, soon after his arrival in Barbados. He noted that he was invited by the University of the West Indies (UWI) Cave Hill Campus to deliver the annual Prime Minister’s Lecture and to share his views on how technology can shape the region.

Having been a product of the UWI himself, Mitchell told the media that Barbados is currently in the best position to share its skills in the area of academia, with the people of Grenada and others in the region.

“We can share our skills a lot more. Let’s face it; I studied here, so I know that you have a rich history of education opportunities for the wider cross section of the society. When I came to Barbados in the 70s to study, six of us left Grenada to get a Bachelor’s degree, and I saw hundreds of Barbadians at Cave Hill,” he commented.

“So my feeling is you are probably in a better position to share skills in the region than most countries. I think we’ve had Barbadians over the years teaching at our schools and providing opportunities and I am sure there’re things that we can share with you and I am sure you are in a good position to share not just with Grenada, but with many other countries,” Mitchell added.

In the area of transportation, Mitchell lamented the fact that there is not enough competition provided in terms of regional air carriers to allow for greater efficiency of travel and there is no other means of transporting citizens between countries, as well. If this trend could be reversed, he suggested, the CSME would have more meaning.

Speaking on the need to integrate trade efforts, Dr. Mitchell suggested that there are perhaps products that can be bought from Grenada, but he suggested that arrangements would have to be made to ensure that prices are competitive and there is therefore some benefit in selling to Barbados, as opposed to the international markets. (RSM)