From Crisis to Opportunity…Unique strategies, Competitive Edge. That’s the theme for International Business Week, which opens on Sunday, with a 9 a.m. service at the St. James Parish Church.
Minister of International Business and International Transport, George Hutson, will deliver remarks to launch the week organised by the Barbados International Business Association (BIBA), and its strategic partners.
On Sunday evening, members of the International Business fraternity, their families and well-wishers will participate in BIBA’s Charity Fun Walk starting at 4 p.m. at Belleville, St. Michael and ending at the Boatyard in Bridgetown, via the Garrison Savannah. Several prizes will be up for grabs, including awards for the largest corporate and youth groups to cross the finish line. The event is by registration only and interested persons are asked to contact the BIBA Secretariat at 434-2422 extension 101.
On Monday, October 25, business students, as well as other interested fifth and sixth formers across the school system, will get an opportunity to learn more about the International Business Sector, when a Secondary School Symposium is held at the 3Ws Pavilion, Cave Hill Campus of the University of the West Indies (UWI), from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Gilford Alleyne, will deliver welcome remarks to officially open the symposium. Students will hear from BIBA’s Executive Director, Henderson Holmes, on the topic Understanding International Business from the perspective of its importance to the economy, and in terms of career opportunities. Althea Goodridge of Catalyst Caribbean will also speak on the topic Grooming for International Success, as a means of providing guidance on the preparation required for realising individual potential in the global marketplace.
Students will also get a first-hand glimpse into the life of professionals in the field, when four representatives deliver 10-minute presentations on the topic A Day in the Life of an International Business Professional. These will include Accountant, Ricardo Knight; Attorney, Melanie Jones; Human Resources Manager, Cyrilene Odle and IT practitioner, Nad Cyrus.
Careers in the International Business arena will continue to be the focus on Tuesday, October 26, when a Careers Showcase is staged at the UWI starting at 2 p.m. p.m. Graduates eyeing jobs in this vital area will receive expert guidance, from representatives across the sector .
The true measure of the economic impact of international business on the lives of Barbadians will be explored on Wednesday, October 27, when a discussion is held at the Walcott Warner Theatre, of the UWI’s Errol Barrow Centre for Creative Imagination, beginning at 7:00 p.m.
Panellists slated to discuss the topic International Business: A Positive Impact on Our People are: Head of the Department of Management Studies UWI, Dr. Justin Robinson, Past BIBA President, Tom Sears and President of Platinum Offshore Management Services, Stephen Greaves.
Surviving to Thriving – Strategies for Global Expansion in Turbulent Times is the theme of a two-day International Business Week Conference slated to take place at Hilton Barbados on Thursday and Friday, October 28 and 29.
Chairman, Intelligence Capital Limited and Emeritus Professor of Gresham College in the United Kingdom, Professor Avinash Persaud, will head a range of speakers drawn from that part of the globe, as well as the United States, and Latin America and the Caribbean, slated to address this year’s conference.
On Thursday, October 28, at 9 a.m. BIBA President, Mohammed Patel, will deliver the welcome remarks to start the conference. He will be followed by Central Bank Governor, Dr. De Lisle Worrell, who will speak on the topic Managing the Open Economy in a time of Crisis. Day one is slated to wrap up at 4:50 p.m.
On Friday, October 29, at 8:30 a.m. Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance, Senator Darcy Boyce, will deliver the feature address to start day two of the conference, which ends at 1p.m.
The curtain will come down on International Business Week on Saturday, October 30 with a charity event organised by BIBA trustees.
