Barbados is now part of an effort to improve the representation of people of African descent in biotechnology and biomedical research. This as Government and BioMed X, a European Biotech company, signed a letter of intent this morning at Ilaro Court. Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, President of the EU Commission Ursula von der Leyen and officials from the company and Export Barbados BIDC were on hand for the signing. Prime Minister Mottley highlighted that there has been very little research in the pharmaceutical industry focusing on the African genetic makeup. She noted, for example, less than 7% of those tested for diabetes are of African descent. The EU is also partnering with Barbados in the renewable energy sector, as the country launches the Renewstable Barbados project The project integrates the use of solar technology and on-site green hydrogen storage to provide a reliable, stable, and clean electricity supply to Barbados. As the EU Commission President engages with regional leaders this week at the CARICOM Heads of Government Meeting, discussions will be held on duplicating the project across the region.

Barbados has signed off with a philanthropic donor to renovate and upgrade the Jorris Dunner Elderly Day Care Centre located at Golden Rock in The Pine. Acting Director of the National Assistance Board, Colleen Walcott provided the update in response to questions about the facility’s future posed by Deputy Prime Minister and MP for St. Michael South East, Santia Bradshaw. The centre was closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and used over the past years as a transitional facility for the displaced.

During the Estimates Debate, it was revealed that the necessary repair work has been undertaken to restart the Mangrove Agricultural Project. It’s an initiative to help members of the differently-abled community become entrepreneurs, so they can be more independent. The update was provided by the acting Director of the National Disabilities Unit, Wayne Nurse, in response to a query by MP for St. Michael East Trevor Prescod.