by TONY BEST

BARBADIAN FIRMS are being urged to become involved in the expansion of the Panama Canal by bidding on lucrative contracts for some of the construction.

The plea has come from Michael King, Barbados' ambassador in Washington, who said that while workers from Barbados, Jamaica and their neighbours helped to build the Panama Canal a century ago, Bajan companies and others in the region were well placed to play far different roles by undertaking some of the expansion work.

"Whereas at the beginning of the 20th century our workers went as labourers to work on the Panama Canal, I think that Barbados and other Caribbean societies have developed to the extent that our companies can come and bid on some of the contracts related to the expansion of the canal which has been approved by the Panamanian people," King told the MIDWEEK NATION in Washington.

'Exciting opportunities'

"Panama represents some exciting opportunities for Caribbean companies that are competitive, especially with the upcoming expansion of the canal," added King, who is to attend the annual general assembly of the Organisation of American States (OAS) in Panama City between June 3 and 5.

That was why King, also ambassador to the OAS, wants Caribbean firms to send executives to the Panamanian capital to participate in OAS private sector sessions to be held before the assembly begins.

"It's important that our firms in the Caribbean participate in the private sector activities prior to the general assembly," he added. "Private sector groups in our countries should make the effort to go to Panama."

Foreign ministers, ambassadors and other officials from throughout the Western Hemisphere are expected in Panama and they are to consider a wide range of issues, including democracy, drug trafficking, migrants, energy, security, good governance, and economic and social development in the Caribbean and Latin America.

"This year's theme will focus on energy but as usual there will be some private sector activities before the assembly begins," King explained.