Russia
Russian Ambassador Alexander Kurmaz have identified the provision of scholarships for Barbadian students, strategies for enhancing revenue collection, and cyber security as possible areas of engagement between the two countries.
The two officials held talks on a range of issues as they both emphasised the importance of bilateral relations, during a recent courtesy call at Ilaro Court.
Regarding enhanced revenue collection, the prime minister noted that Russia has the “best tax system in the world” and expressed an interest in knowledge sharing. “I want the ministry of finance and the Barbados Revenue Authority to speak to representatives from your revenue agency to determine what we can learn from you and if there are things that are replicable here how can we use the technical assistance to ‘beef up’ our own revenue collection…. So, if we can follow up substantively on that, I’ll be very happy,” Mottley stated.
In turn, ambassador Kurmaz invited minister in the ministry of finance, Ryan Straughn, who was also in attendance, on a working visit to Russia.
Turning her attention to the provision of scholarships, Mottley gave the assurance that the process will be managed by her office with assistance from the Office of Citizen Engagement.
The two officials also discussed enhancing the island’s cyber security measures by adopting best practices used in Russia, developing advanced taxation and banking systems utlising Russia’s technical expertise, the ongoing situation in Cuba, the climate crisis, the war in Ukraine, among other areas.
Ambassador Kurmaz described Cuba as a “unique country on Russia’s agenda” and pledged to lend assistance wherever possible.
Also present during the courtesy call were minister of health and wellness, senator Dr Jerome Walcott; minister of foreign affairs and foreign trade, Kerrie Symmonds; and other government officials. Russia and Barbados established diplomatic ties on January 29, 1993.
India
Addressing the island’s skills shortage and building out Barbados’ pharmaceutical industry were high on the agenda during recent talks with prime minister Mottley and India’s non-resident High Commissioner to Barbados, Shri Subhash Prasad Gupta.
During the meeting at Ilaro Court, the prime minister stated that Barbados had a pharmaceutical industry established on a limited scale since 1882 and was keen for Indian companies to establish operations here to manufacture precision biologics to fight cancer and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and vaccines.
Discussions also focused on airlift and the conclusion of a Double Taxation Agreement. Mottley added that direct airlift to India would “open up more opportunities for scholarships and the opportunity for cooperation with cricket, which is huge.”
“India and Barbados, in particular, share passions that a country this small can produce so many great cricketers over the decades, and a country, as large as yours, can continue to not only produce good cricketers but to sustain the expansion of the game creates a moral imperative for us to operate,” she stated.
Agreeing, High Commissioner Gupta, said: “Direct connectivity is very important, and the key to making substantial progress in the diplomatic relationship.”
The prime minister also floated the idea of having yoga teachers and fitness instructors in primary and schools to assist with tackling the high incidence of NCDs among the population and to cultivate good habits to guide citizens for life. On this point, the High Commissioner expressed a willingness to cooperate and requested a framework on the proposal.
In addition, Mottley informed Gupta about the country’s skills shortage and enlisted his help to recruit personnel to fill critical areas, such as engineering, agriculture research, statisticians, health care professionals, and IT professionals.
The two officials also discussed Barbados’ climate-smart agriculture; an international solar alliance to guide the efficient use of solar panels; and the establishment of an Indian Embassy in Barbados, among other areas of engagement. Barbados and India established diplomatic ties on November 30, 1966.
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