Property owners under the umbrella of the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association are being advised to take hurricane preparedness seriously. The BHTA is making the call mindful that Hurricane Beryl left many of its members counting hundreds of thousands of dollars in losses. This was communicated during the opening of the 2025 BHTA’s hurricane preparedness workshop. Anesta Henry has the report.
The Barbados Manufacturing Association (BMA) has adopted a “wait-and-see” approach regarding the impact the 10 per cent US imposed tariff will have. That position has been explained by the BMA’s Executive Director, Shardae Boyce. She tells CBC News that companies trading under a specific caricom arrangement, for example, may be shielded from the tariff. However, she emphasizes that further clarification is needed to confirm whether this will be the case. Ms Boyce says for companies not trading under the Caribbean Basin Initiative, the tariff will apply, compounded by the already existing duties. The Executive Director notes that local small manufacturers in various sectors may not be in the financial position to absorb the additional cost resulting in consumers being impacted.
There is more reaction tonight to the 10 per cent US imposed tariff, set to take effect on April 5. A trade expert is warning Barbadians to brace for inflation in the prices of imported goods and services, as a result of the new tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump. Lecturer in economics at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill campus, Dr Antonio Alleyne, says inflation is expected since Barbados relies heavily on imports, with the United States being a major supplier. He tells CBC News the Central Bank of Barbados should also be paying close attention to the situation. Dr Alleyne says Barbados’ bread and butter industry could also feel the rippling effects of President Trump’s move.
