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| Prime Minister David Thompson, who visited China this week on an official four-day visit, announced that the mission in the Orient should be open before the end of the year. (File photo) | |
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, May 9, 2008 - As Barbados pursues greater cooperation with China, the Caribbean country is preparing to open an embassy there as well as push tourism cooperation between the two nations.
Prime Minister David Thompson, who visited China this week on an official four-day visit, announced that the mission in the Orient should be open before the end of the year.
He said the move comes in light of the importance of China's relationship with Barbados and other parts of the Caribbean.
"We as a nation and as a region do lots of trade with China and as such the time has come for us to establish a permanent presence in that country," Mr Thompson said.
He also revealed that former prime minister, Sir Lloyd Erskine Sandiford, has been named Ambassador-designate to head the embassy.
"Sir Lloyd would be of great assistance in strengthening our thrust in human resource development which China has identified as an area it can assist with," Prime Minister Thompson said.
He said Barbados and China have also pledged to "do more to enhance and develop tourism between the two countries".
The Barbadian leader said the promise was made during talks in Beijing with the Director of China's National Tourism Administration, Shao Qiwei.
Both parties said they would engage in sustained media promotion and groundwork to bring the tourism cooperation plan to fruition.
Mr Shao, who revealed that over 41 million Chinese travelled last year, said there are plans to send a tourism delegation to Barbados soon.
Prime Minister Thompson said he was looking forward to welcoming a new wave of visitors from China.
"We are also interested in developing new infrastructure to facilitate more cruise tourism, particularly the building of a new cruise facility," he said.
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