PM’s Vision for a Major Airline and Shipping Hub

Prime Minister Mia Mottley wants to establish Barbados as a major shipping and airline hub for both cargo and people.

And she also wants discussions to start urgently on bringing on board the National Insurance Scheme and other investors as equity partners in the Bridgetown Port.

She outlined the vision as the House of Assembly continued discussion on government’s estimates of revenue and expenditure with a focus on the Ministry of Tourism and International Transport.

Miss Mottley challenged the officials of the ministry to fast track such a plan and Tourism Minister Ian Gooding-Edghill gave the assurance it was in the works.

Miss Mottley also urged that talks commence soon with the NIS and other investors on taking an equity stake in the Bridgetown Port.

Meantime, it was confirmed that a plan goes before the board of the Barbados Port next week proposing a massive transformation of the facility with ownership stakes opened up to the NIS and other investors including members of the public.

The proposal was outlined by the port’s CEO, David Jean-Marie.