Immigration white paper nears
Wednesday February 16 2011 | 11:51 PM

The white paper on immigration is almost ready.

That's the word from Parliamentary Secretary in the Prime Minister's Office, with responsibility for Immigration issues, Senator Harry Husbands who also has specific responsibility for Immigration and the Social Partnership.

Speaking during a telephone interview with Barbados TODAY, Husbands said he expected to have a copy in his hands by this weekend.

"Right now the paper is being read internally and it is not ready for publication," Husbands said.

The white paper on immigration was originally to be completed by June 1 followed a series of town hall meetings last year, but was extended until September as meetings involving interest groups were still taking place.

Challenges

In particular a meeting was held with the Barbados International Business Association to discuss a number of challenges they were having with immigration issues. That meeting was called to draw attention to the need for immigration policies and practices that make Barbados more attractive for international investment without compromising the country's social and security needs.

Husbands he believed the issues raised by BIBA would be addressed. However, he made it clear that it was not just a matter of satisfying BIBA's requirements, but also taking state and security issues into consideration.