The Barbados Labour Party is reporting mission-critical policies in its 2018 Manifesto outlined to rescue, stabilise and rebuild the economy have all been achieved. The announcement by Chairman Senator Reginald Farley comes as the party gears up for its 85th annual conference this weekend at the foundation school. Senator Farley says the 17 areas allowed Barbados to go on Mission Survival when the unexpected happened. Senator Farley adds that there’s been a vote of support in the executive, as positions were unopposed.

Barbados and the Gulf State of Qatar have signed an air services agreement. Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Ian Gooding-Edghill, signed the agreement on behalf of the Government of Barbados. Mr. Gooding-Edghill notes the agreement is part of a wider initiative under the Prime Minister’s leadership to promote greater regional air connectivity in the Caribbean while expanding international cooperation and diplomatic ties in the Middle East. Following the signing, the two sides discussed ways to enhance and develop bilateral relations in the field of civil aviation and addressed many topics of common interest in this field.

The World Food Forum of the Food and Agricultural Organisation opened in Italy, with a call from Barbados for investments in agri-food systems to be purpose-driven. Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley says investments should be in pursuit of a vision and not simply expenses devoted to fixing problems that could have been prevented. In a video address, she says the theme,’Right to Foods for a Better Life and a Better Future,’ resonates with the Caribbean, where the high cost of healthy diets demands urgent action. Ms. Mottley expects Caribbean delegations to tell the stories of the region at the forum. She highlighted the impact challenges in the agricultural sector have had on member states working to achieve the goal of reducing the region’s food import bill by 25% by the year 2025.