Barbados Chamber Of Commerce & Industry

COMMUNITY

Follow Me to Crop Over 2010

For the first time ever, the 184-year-old Barbados Chamber of Commerce will be in on Barbados’ biggest and best festival, Crop Over 2010. Whoever said that business is only about meetings and serious matters? Not so for the Barbados Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Crop Over 2010. "Follow me to Crop Over" is the festival's theme this year and, for the first time, we have collaborated with the National Cultural Foundation (NCF) and the Barbados Tourism Inc to bring the feel, colour, art and sounds of the festival to our capital.
BCCI members have contributed to the cost of:

The Crop Over Art Walk – a series of mini art exhibitions and photography displays placed within participating stores throughout July
Pan in the City – steel pans performing outside several businesses in Bridgetown on Saturday, 17th July. Longer opening hours culminate with a performance by the Cave Shepherd All Stars Calypso Tent in Heroes Square.
Inaugural Annual Show Window Competition – businesses are competing for the perpetual trophy that will be presented towards the end of the festival. The display that best depicts "Follow me to Crop Over" will be judged the winner by a team of experts from the NCF.

BCCI Partners with Crime Stoppers Barbados

With a view to strengthen the policing of corporate crimes and create a safer commercial environment in Barbados’ business landscape, the Barbados Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Crime Stoppers Barbados (CSB) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding. On June 9th, 2010 at the Chamber’s Braemar offices, Andy Armstrong President of the Chamber and Anthony Philips, Chairman of Crime Stoppers Barbados, signed the agreement. Mr. Armstrong declared the accord to be one that will grow in importance as Crime Stoppers’ benefits grow. He noted that retailers in Bridgetown are particularly challenged with shoplifters becoming increasingly bold. The Chamber President added that he looks forward to the benefits from members joining Crime Stoppers, as it would assist in alleviating that problem.

Meanwhile the President of CSB noted that there is great value-added in becoming a member of Crime Stoppers. Such benefits include; complementary security assessments, discounts on security supplies that have been arranged with some suppliers and customized programs for the particular industries. In her remarks, BCCI’s Executive Director Lisa Gale said the MOU signing was significant, as it represented part of a renewed ethos of forming new partnerships with key stakeholders. Mrs. Gale added that she believes the partnership will garner widespread benefits to the business community at large. The signing was further described as part of a thrust of creating partnerships with key stakeholders which will in turn lead to the creation of an enabling business environment of growth, and prosperity.

Haiti Drive

Like many other organizations across the globe the Barbados Chamber of Commerce and Industry empathized and stepped forward to assist Haiti following the devastating earthquake in January 2010. The Chamber's Executive praised all members who served in key capacities in raising funds for Haiti. Haiti's circumstances are dire and their continued misfortune is truly heartbreaking. This serves to remind us all to be grateful for what we have and remember our less fortunate Caribbean friends by giving generously - money, goods, resources and services. Remember them in your prayers and let's capitalise on all official channels to play our part.

BCCI MOU with BYBT

In June 2009 the Barbados Chamber of Commerce and Industry signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Barbados Youth Business Trust – which is now in its 13th year of operation. The agreement signaled a commitment from the Chamber to invest in the development of entrepreneurship and the mentoring of young people so as to create better Business people for generations ahead. Moreover the Chamber again partnered with the BYBT as they launched their arts and craft exhibition at Satjay Mall in Bridgetown, a precursor to Global Entrepreneurship week, held from 16th to 20th November 2009. Jewellery both Natural and Semi-Precious, along with Art of different styles, and Event Planning for work or play were just some of the businesses on show at the event. Mr Lalu Vaswani, BCCI Council member and part owner of Satjay Mall and Chairman of the BCCI’s Bridgetown Revitalisation Project, stressed the importance of creating opportunities for success and having a vision, citing an instance where one of the occupants of the Mall started his business in what used to be a garage. Within the space of eight years, the business eventually expanded to three branches, with the City outlet now occupying a space of 1000 square feet at Satjay Mall.