Minister of Maritime Affairs and Blue Economy Barbadian, Kirk Humphrey, received the Cuban Ambassador, Francisco Fernandez, to whom he brought a general overview on the priorities of this new ministry created after the electoral victory by the Barbados Labor Party last May, led by its prime minister, Mia Mottley. This ministry aims to enhance the economic and social benefits of the fishing industry, port activity and resources from adequate exploitation of the Caribbean Sea, including ocean energy.
The Minister, who was accompanied by Deputy Minister of that portfolio, Esworth Reid, and Corey Archer, an official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, outlined various areas in which bilateral cooperation with Cuba could be mutually beneficial, such as the development of port infrastructure, new technologies to promote fishing activities, studies for the conversion and use of ocean energy, as well as good practices for the restoration and preservation of the coastal zone and coral reefs.
The Ambassador thanked the explanation about the Barbadian priorities and that fruitful initial exchange, ratifying the will of the Cuban government to evaluate the most beneficial modalities that are feasible to implement for both economies. He also highlighted that there is an interrelation of these aspects with other areas where there are instruments in place to enhance cooperation, such as renewable energy, tourism and actions to improve the air and maritime infrastructure aimed at enhancing intraregional economic activity in the Caribbean. In this regard, both parties agreed on the importance of reviewing the projects discussed at the level of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Association of Caribbean States (ACS).