2009-2010 BIBA Board Announcement
Thursday July 02 2009 | 05:27 PM

A new board of directors has been elected to oversee the ongoing development of the Barbados International Business Association (BIBA) and its contributions to Barbados’ economic and social landscape for the next year.

The new board was elected at the BIBA annual general meeting, which was held on June 25, 2009, at the Yacht Club on Bay Street, St Michael. The executive members are: John Howard, President; David Thomas, 1st Vice President; Mohammed Patel, 2nd Vice President; Ryle Weekes, Treasurer; and Keisha Hyde, Secretary.

The other directors are: Andrew Alleyne, Connie Smith, Grafton Williams, Russ Jones, Liza Harridyal Sodha, Kaye Williams, Peter Walford, Nicholas Crichlow, Elliot Sachar, David Wright, and Wayne Fields.

The new BIBA president stated that his overall objective over the next 12 months of his tenure will be to assist in protecting and growing international business in Barbados. Howard added that there will be three key themes to his presidency: firstly, raising awareness of the strategic importance of the international business sector to the Barbados economy; secondly, a commitment to assist Government agencies in improving efficiency and business facilitation while supporting attempts to operationalise the short and medium term plans developed to stimulate economic recovery; and thirdly, seeking new opportunities to capitalise on Barbados’ excellent reputation and top tier ranking by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development on the changing face of international business worldwide.

As she demitted office, Lewis expressed confidence that Howard and the new executive would advance BIBA’s successes. “In handing over to John Howard as President and the 2009-2010 board of directors, I am confident that BIBA will continue to go from strength to strength in achieving our goals of representing the international business community's interests and raising the awareness of the Barbadian public of the importance of the sector to our nation's economy. Under their able stewardship, the organisation will certainly be able to navigate the challenges facing the sector in these times of financial and economic turmoil,” said Lewis.