BARBADOS’S Ambassador to CARICOM Robert “Bobby” Morris has said that the immigration issues that dogged relations between Georgetown and Bridgetown back in 2007 have been overcome and the two countries are now on stronger footing. He also reiterated his country’s support for Guyana in matters of foreign and community relations, particularly against the expansionist plans of Venezuela. The Ambassador was speaking on Tuesday night at the Barbados Workers Union “Solidarity Hall,” when the Guyanese Association of Barbados Inc. (GABI) held a symposium entitled: “The History of Guyana-Barbados… and where are we now?”. The symposium was the third monthly event organised by GABI as part of its year-long observances of Guyana’s 50th Independence Anniversary.
He said that Barbados and Guyana have kept common counsel and held common ground in developing the Low Carbon Development Strategy and in supporting the Agenda for Climate Change and generally in supporting the agenda of vulnerable small island developing states and low lying coastal states.
Ambassador Morris, speaking on the sensitive issue of “problems around immigration matters, said that between 2007 and 2010, which in my view was blown out of proportion, but which fortunately have been overcome.”
Quoting the statistics for the period, Mr. Morris said that Guyanese visits to Barbados between 2007 and 2012 on an annual basis was highest in 2008, with 31,276 visitors and lowest in 2010, with 19,432. Refusals he said for entry were usually about one (1%) percent, but never above two (2%) percent. Overstays were usually between eleven (11%) percent and twenty four (24%) percent.
The Ambassador further stated that numbers of “Work Permits” were made to Guyanese workers, especially in Agriculture and Construction, but the economic contraction after 2007 was largely responsible for the fall off of work permits granted or renewed; and this led to Guyanese trying to access CARICOM strategies for migration. Morris stated that these refusals and denials of permits caused this period to have tested the bonds between the two countries.
The Ambassador said that with the signing of the Agreement for the Deepening of Bilateral Cooperation between the Governments of Barbados and the Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, it ushered in a new era in relations between the two countries.
It was observed that,that Article of that Agreement allowed for the establishment of a Joint Economic, Technical and Cultural Co-operation Commission, for the purpose of implementing the Agreement. He said that it was also agreed that the Commission would meet alternately in the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and in Barbados. The meetings dealt with issues which have continued to form the basis of cooperation with additions and amendments from time to time, including investments and exports.
Other areas include an offer of land to be purchased by Barbadians, Tourism, Hospitality and Services; Agriculture and Fisheries; Maritime Administration/Maritime Affairs; Education; Immigration and Security and Culture, Youth and Sports. Ambassador Morris said that one of the highlights of this cooperation between the two countries since the signing of the Agreement is Sir Kyffin Simpson’s Rice Farm in Region Nine in the Rupunini. He said that the farm was visited by Minister Maxine McClean and other officials in 2013. “This is a prime example of the type of cooperation which can be a model for the development of CARICOM,” the Ambassador concluded.
The symposium was also addressed by Mr Pat Thompson of Guyana, who spoke on “Growing-Up in Guyana – The Bajan Connection”; Dr. Jeannette Allsopp on “Education – The similarities between Guyana and Barbados”; and Mr. Frank Da Silva, who spoke on the “Private and Public Sector – Bridging the Gap.” Mrs. Roxanne Brancker was the moderator. Also present at the well-attended session were Guyana’s interim Consul-General, Mrs. Monique Jackman; Cuba’s Ambassador to Barbados, Barbadian Attorney and Social Activist Davis Commissiong and several members of the Barbados business community. The attendees were treated to Guyanese snacks after the event while they heard renditions by the “Birdman.”