Barbados–Brazil relations

Barbados-Brazil relations
Map indicating locations of Barbados and Brazil

Barbados
Brazil

Barbados–Brazil relations are the foreign relations between Barbados and Brazil. Barbados and Brazil established diplomatic relations on 26 November 1971.[1][2][3] Brazil has a resident Embassy in Hastings, Christ Church; while Barbados, which traditionally accredited its Ambassador in Caracas as its non-resident Ambassador to Brazil, opened an actual embassy in Brasília, Brazil on 27 April 2010.[4] Relations between both nations have steadily increased between both nations, especially during 2010. Barbados and Brazil are members of the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States.

Cooperation

Embassy of Brazil (in Bridgetown)

In 2010 several agreements for cooperation have been signed between Brazilian officials and their Barbadian counterparts. On 26 April Barbados was one of several CARICOM nations to take part in the "Brazil–Caribbean Community Summit".[5] During the event several agreements between Barbados and Brazil were signed, including: a Memorandum of Understanding for a Bilateral Technical Cooperation Agreement, a Cultural Cooperation Agreement, an Air Services Agreement, a Complementary Agreement for the implementation of projects in the field of health; and an agreement to expand the provision of Brazilian lecturers at the University of the West Indies campus in Barbados, with a reciprocal plan to expand similar Caribbean studies programmes in Brazilian institutions of higher education.[3][5]

On 7 October Brazil's Ambassador signed a US$562 600 agreement to a fund Disaster Risk Reduction with the Barbados-based Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA).[6]

Also in 2010 both nations signed an agreement to cooperate in the sport of football.[7][8] Today the agreement has allowed a small group of Barbadian youths to play football at Brazilian football clubs in that nation,[9] with the Barbadian government calling on companies to financially support the new initiative.[10]

The University of the West Indies in Barbados has begun research on families of Barbadian descent which moved to Brazil in the early 20th century, known there as "Barbadianos", the migratory link is being explored as some of Barbados' more prominent names have survived in that South American nation while others have been assimilated into Brazilian culture.[11]

In 2011, a group of Samba dancers from the group Sociedade Rosas de Ouro met with Barbados' Minister Of Tourism, Richard Sealy, and also took part in Barbados' biggest festival Crop Over.[12] At the group's meeting with the Minister he touched on Barbados' ties with Brazil and urged more Barbadians to choose Brazil as a vacation destination.[13][14]

GOL Airlines

After holding negotiations over a number of years[15] both countries officially witnessed the inaugural direct-flight on 26 June 2010.[16][17] Operated by GOL Airlines the inaugural flight arrived in Barbados at 9:45pm.[18][19] The cost of the initial scheduled airlift for the Barbados Government has been ridiculed by the political opposition in Parliament,[20][21] but the David Thompson[22][23] and subsequent Freundel Stuart administrations attribute Brazilian tourists as a large portion[24][25] of the increased tourists to Barbados during the economic downturn.[26]

Trade

Negotiations are ongoing to spur trade and business via the new airlink between both nations.[1][permanent dead link‍][27][28] This has been done in part by trade missions to Brazil.[29] Barbados, as one of three nations that were joint stakeholders of LIAT[30] proposed that LIAT and GOL should team up to promote low-cost airfares between the entire Caribbean and South America, with Barbadian official hoping it could utilise the Grantley Adams International Airport in Barbados as a focal point.[31][32][33]

See also

References

  1. ^ "LIST OF COUNTRIES WITH WHICH BARBADOS HAS ESTABLISHED DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2011-01-30.
  2. ^ Staff writer (11 November 2009). "New Year Brings New Embassy In Brazil". Barbados Government Information Serive. Archived from the original on 2011-07-06. Retrieved 29 January 2011.
  3. ^ a b Staff writer (May 2005). "Brazil's Foreign Minister To Visit Barbados". Barbados Government Information Serive. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 29 January 2011. Barbados and Brazil established diplomatic relations in November 1971. Brazil has a resident Embassy in Barbados, while Barbados has traditionally accredited its Ambassador in Caracas as its non-resident Ambassador to Brazil. Relations between the two countries are active and have been strengthened by the conclusion of a number of bilateral agreements, including a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Concerning Consultations on Matters of Common Interest; a Protocol of Intent for Cooperation in the Health Sector; a Technical Cooperation Agreement and an Education Cooperation Agreement. During the visit, the two countries will sign an umbrella agreement on cultural cooperation, which will enhance the cultural linkages between Barbados and Brazil.
  4. ^ Staff writer (18 May 2010). "Official Opening of Barbados' Embassy at Brasilia". Invest Barbados. Archived from the original on 7 September 2018. Retrieved 29 January 2011. On 27 April 2010 Senator the Honourable Maxine McClean, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade officially opened Barbados' Embassy at Brasilia.
  5. ^ a b Staff writer (26 April 2010). "BRASILIA DECLARATION ISSUED BY THE FIRST CARICOM-BRAZIL SUMMIT, 26 april 2010, Brasilia, Brazil". Caribbean Community (CARICOM). Archived from the original on 13 December 2010. Retrieved 27 January 2011.
  6. ^ King, Lisa (7 October 2010). "More help for region when disaster strikes". Nation Newspaper. Archived from the original on 14 June 2012. Retrieved 28 January 2011.
  7. ^ King, Mike (16 June 2010). "Sports tourism from Brazil link". Nation Newspaper. Archived from the original on 27 June 2011. Retrieved 28 January 2011.
  8. ^ Marville, Justin (9 December 2010). "Barbados/Brazil football link". Nation Newspaper. Archived from the original on 31 May 2012. Retrieved 28 January 2011.
  9. ^ Staff writer (7 July 2010). "Five ballers for Brazil". Nation Newspaper. Archived from the original on 14 June 2012. Retrieved 28 January 2011.
  10. ^ "Money appeal for boys' Brazil trip". Nation Newspaper. 31 July 2010. Archived from the original on 14 June 2012. Retrieved 28 January 2011.
  11. ^ H., J. (1 March 2011). "Brazilian, Barbadian link uncovered". The Barbados Advocate. Archived from the original on 7 July 2011. Retrieved 1 March 2011.
  12. ^ Nieves, Amanda (4 August 2011). "Samba group promoting Brazil across island". The Barbados Advocate. Archived from the original on 6 May 2012. Retrieved 5 August 2011.
  13. ^ Staff writer (4 August 2011). "Samba time". Nation Newspaper. Archived from the original on 2 January 2014. Retrieved 5 August 2011.
  14. ^ Nieves, Amanda (4 August 2011). "Brazil beckons". The Barbados Advocate. Archived from the original on 6 May 2012. Retrieved 5 August 2011.
  15. ^ Browne, Stacia (30 May 2007). "Direct air link for Barbados and Brazil". The Barbados Advocate. Archived from the original on 30 September 2007. Retrieved 4 June 2010.
  16. ^ "Brazil now 6 hours direct". Nation Newspaper. 27 June 2010. Archived from the original on 24 October 2010. Retrieved 26 January 2011.
  17. ^ Goodman, Khalil (14 March 2010). "Barbados building its brand in Brazil". The Barbados Advocate. Archived from the original on 26 March 2012. Retrieved 26 January 2011.
  18. ^ Staff writer (26 June 2010). "Air link between Barbados, Brazil". The Barbados Advocate. Archived from the original on 26 March 2012. Retrieved 28 January 2011.
  19. ^ H., J. (27 June 2010). "B'dos welcomes GOL airlines". The Barbados Advocate. Archived from the original on 26 March 2012. Retrieved 28 January 2011.
  20. ^ K., M. (18 July 2010). "Mia: Fix UK market". Nation Newspaper. Archived from the original on 14 June 2012. Retrieved 28 January 2011.
  21. ^ M., M. (20 December 2010). "Spreading wings". Nation Newspaper. Archived from the original on 23 December 2010. Retrieved 28 January 2011.
  22. ^ Staff writer (2 July 2010). "Prime Minister's Address To The Nation". Nation Newspaper. Archived from the original on 1 December 2010. Retrieved 28 January 2011.
  23. ^ "PM assures Barbadians on economy". Nation Newspaper. 2 July 2010. Archived from the original on 14 June 2012. Retrieved 28 January 2011. Without being overly optimistic, I am pleased with the responses we are getting from two countries that seem to have weathered the financial and economic storm well – Canada and Brazil.
  24. ^ C., G. (9 October 2010). "Visitor tally up 4.1%". Nation Newspaper. Archived from the original on 12 June 2012. Retrieved 26 January 2011.
  25. ^ King, Mike (12 October 2010). "Tourism on the up". Nation Newspaper. Archived from the original on 12 June 2012. Retrieved 26 January 2011.
  26. ^ Taylor, Ralph (1 December 2010). "Visitor high". Nation Newspaper. Archived from the original on 14 June 2012. Retrieved 11 January 2011.
  27. ^ Alleyne, Karen (14 November 2011). "Brazil route a winner". The Barbados Advocate. Archived from the original on 26 March 2012. Retrieved 27 January 2011.
  28. ^ K., M. (16 June 2010). "Many benefits for region from airlift". Nation Newspaper. Archived from the original on 2012-06-14.
  29. ^ R., P. (16 June 2010). "Barbados courting Brazil tourists". Nation Newspaper. Archived from the original on 26 March 2011. Retrieved 27 January 2011.
  30. ^ Staff writer (13 January 2011). "Trinidad-based airline to provide competition to LIAT on Caribbean routes". Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 2011-09-11. Retrieved 27 January 2011. LIAT, whose major shareholders are the governments of Barbados, St. Vincent and Antigua and Barbuda, enjoys an almost virtual monopoly on inter-regional flights.
  31. ^ Staff writer (30 June 2010). "Barbados expecting to score big with GOL". Caribbean360.com. Archived from the original on 2010-07-16. Retrieved 30 January 2011.
  32. ^ A., Y. (28 June 2010). "Barbados in key position". The Barbados Advocate. Archived from the original on 26 March 2012. Retrieved 27 January 2011.
  33. ^ "LIAT – Shareholders urged to review options for modernising regional airline". Caribbean Daily News. 14 August 2010. Archived from the original on 22 April 2012. Retrieved 27 January 2011.