Photo library
The European Union celebrated Europe Day on 9 May for the first time in St. Lucia at the site of the New National Hospital
The New Hospital is being constructed at a cost of EC$130 million (€36.5 m) as part of grant aid provided by the EU. Prime Minister Dr. Kenny Anthony participated in the Europe Day activities along with several other members of government and other institutions. The EU's team included Ambassador Valeriano Diaz, Head of the EU Delegation to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Mr. Christian Leffler EEAS, Managing Director for the Americas and Mr. John Caloghirou, head of the Caribbean desk at EU headquarters in Brussels. Diplomats, including those from EU Member States also took part. The 122 bed in St. Lucia is the single largest EU infrastructure project in the Caribbean, which when completed will consist of state of the art equipment, an accident and emergency centre, an intensive care unit, operating theatres, paediatric centre and radiography department all served by cutting edge technology. The EU will also fund the purchase of medical equipment for the facility.
British Trade Mission Visits EU Delegation
Barbados 31 January 2012: A United Kingdom Trade and Investment mission of some 30 small business leaders visited the Delegation of the European Union to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean on Tuesday 31 January, as part of their business facilitation tour to Barbados.
Mission participants were apprised on areas such as budget support programmes carried out with countries in the OECS, the state of play relating to the different projects ongoing, political and trade co-operation, and the implementation of the Economic Partnership Agreement.
Barbados and the EU review BBD$100 M projects portfolio - Barbados 27 February 2012
The purpose of the CPR exercise was to review the various ongoing and recently concluded programmes financed by the EU in Barbados, such as the Human Resource Development Programme, the Information and Communication technology Programme, the International Business Programme and the Renewable Energy initiative. At present Barbados' current active portfolio with the EU stands at €37.5 million or approximately BBD$100 million, with a further €42.8 million (BBD$115.3 million) foreseen within the next five years.
The meeting was chaired by Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, Christopher Sinckler, whilst the EU Delegation was led by Ambassador Valeriano Diaz. The CPR also provided an avenue to discuss the challenges and opportunities arising from the joint management of Barbados national portfolio with the EU.
The Delegation of the European Union to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean hosted a reception on 14 December 2011
The Delegation of the European Union to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean hosted a reception on 14 December 2011 to commemorate World Human Rights Day, which was attended by various Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) across Barbados.
In addressing the audience, Head of Delegation Vaeriano Diaz annouced that nearly a dozen (NGOs) stand to benefit from a $250,000 EU-funded grants programme with emphasis on human rights and human resource development.
During the reception Miss Barbados World Taisha Carrington gave an overview of her charity, whilst Chairman of the Non-State Actors' panel Rodney Grant provided an incight into the work of the panel since its establishment in 2006.
Summer Camp
Barbados 30 June 2011
Fifty one children from the Unique Helping Hands Summer Camp, ranging from four to 13 years of age, visited the Delegation of the European Union, at its Palm Beach, Hastings offices on 30 June. The youth, who were accompanied by six camp counsellors, got an opportunity to interact with Delegation staff, especially those from European countries such as Austria, Belgium, France, Poland and Spain.
Trade and Development Committee Meeting
Barbados 9 June 2011
The first Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), Trade and Development Committee (TDC) was held on 9 June 2011 at the Amaryllis Hotel in Barbados. Together CARIFORM and the EU discussed practical aspects of the trade pact.
Institute of Financial Risk
Barbados 21 April 2011- Professor Udo Steffens (left) President and Chairman of the board of the Frankfurt School of Finance and Management and HoD Valeriano Diaz at the opening of the Institutte of Financial Risk and Regulation at the Barbados Cave Hill Campus of the University of the West Indies.
The EU has provided Technical Assistance towards the establishment of the Institute that meets the needs of local and regional financial industry professionals in this rapidly changing and increasingly challenging environment.
Regional Private Sector Development Programme Launch
Barbados 20 April 2011 - Head of the European Union Delegation to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Valeriano Diaz addressing the launch of the Regional Private Sector Development Programme of the Caribbean Export Development Agency. The EU provided just over €32 million for the five year programme which is aimed at assisting CARIFORUM countries gradually integrate into the world economy by enhancing regional economic growth.
