Barbados stands to gain significant benefits from hosting Tradewinds 2012.
Chief of Staff of the Barbados Defence Force (BDF) Colonel Alvin Quintyne said that in addition to the construction and upgrades for accommodation and to facilitate training at the Regional Police Training Centre, the BDF Paragon base and Coast Guard base HMBS Pelican, there were a number of economic benefits to be derived.
Quintyne said Barbados should also benefit from funds injected from hotel bookings, and other goods and services to support the troops from the 17 territories involved in the exercise.
“I expect the 350-plus military and law enforcement visitors from distant lands will make their presence felt not only at the training sites, but also in the souvenir and gift shops, restaurants, night clubs and at other places of interest around the island during their brief stay as our guests,” Quintyne said today.
In terms of the actual benefits derived from the Tradewinds exercise over the years, Quintyne said the various territories would have benefitted “tremendously” from the training and the sharing of best practice. He added that a number of barriers had been broken down over the years through the camaraderie amongst members of the different troops. (YB)
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