Economic Opportunities in Republic Bank Grand Kadooment

Barbados, July 4th, 2019 – Republic Bank Grand Kadooment, and the annual Crop Over Festival, present young Barbadian entrepreneurs with a significant opportunity to reach their potential, and make a contribution to the economic reformation of Barbados.

Republic Bank’s General Manager, Retail Banking, Ms. Sharon Zephirin, made this comment during the Official Launch of Republic Bank Grand Kadooment 2019, hosted at the Broad Street Branch of Republic Bank.

Ms. Zephirin encouraged Barbadians to take advantage of the opportunities in the Festival, while supporting the National Cultural Foundation (NCF) in making this 2019 Festival “Crop Over Correct”.

She told stakeholders, including band leaders, designers, musicians and NCF representatives, that inspiring young people to greater productivity and involvement in Crop Over, continues to be a main focus of Republic Bank, now in its fourth year as title sponsor of Republic Bank Grand Kadooment.

“Our commitment to the Festival, and particularly the staging of Republic Bank Grand Kadooment is in an effort to ensure the continued success of this Crop Over Festival, supporting the efforts of the NCF as we seek to become ‘Crop Over Correct’, by inspiring our youth to be part of this very important aspect of our heritage and culture,” Ms. Zephirin said.

Highlighting Republic Bank’s “Power to Make a Difference” CSR Programme, Ms. Zephirin said the new theme: “Creating Alternative Futures”, fit well with the Bank’s goal of developing entrepreneurs, and supporting small and medium-sized businesses through Grand Kadooment and Crop Over.

“This is an awesome opportunity to engage young entrepreneurs to realise their true potential, at a time when our Country is undergoing economic reformation. Crop Over is the kind of festival which provides excellent opportunities for small and medium sized enterprises to engage in areas of food and beverage; arts and craft; make-up artistry; song writing and arranging; music production; entertainment; costume design and making; photography; brand management and sales, and we could go on.”

To rousing applause, Ms. Zephirin announced that Barbadians looking to invest and participate in the Crop Over Festival could now take advantage of Republic Bank’s new Crop Over loan product, launched in 2019 to help position and empower individuals and business owners in support of the Festival.

Also addressing the Official Launch, NCF Manager Administration, Mr. Wayne Webster said much of the Foundation’s efforts were focused on attracting the youthful millennial demographic to the Crop Over Festival. He said Republic Bank Grand Kadooment represented the major attraction for that specific audience of carnival goers.

“There is no questioning the importance of Republic Bank Grand Kadooment to this Festival, and indeed the Organisation’s financial injection of confidence in our Grand Kadooment. The reality is, Republic Bank’s support for this jewel in the Crop Over crown, continues to allow us to inject some freshness into this aspect of the Festival; and we laud them for their unwavering support, and their over a decade of commitment to the Crop Over Festival,” Mr. Webster said.

The event climaxed with a lively mini Kadooment in the City, as Republic Bank management and staff joined costumed revellers and stilt walkers in a parade behind the music truck, jumping from Broad Street to Republic Bank Headquarters at Independence Square. Republic Bank’s own, Edison "Flexi" Jones, started the jump-up with his infectious new release “work twerk”, performed as National Cultural Foundation (NCF) Manager Administration, Mr. Wayne Webster, accepted the Bank’s sponsorship cheque. The ensuing cultural display captivated onlookers, many of whom whipped out phone cameras to capture a bit of the colour and splendour. Adding an unusual but racy and exciting touch to the mini Kadooment, was the Republic Bank “Blue Machine” BMW M3 rally car, which was well received by the public, and which under police escort, dazzled with a display of donuts and dexterity.

Republic Bank also took the opportunity to officially congratulate Calypsonian and road-march legend, Leo MacDonald “The Mighty Grynner” Blenman, on having the former Spring Garden Highway renamed in his honour. Additionally, the Barbados Government through Minister of Creative Economy, Culture and Sports, the Hon. John King was lauded for taking that decision.

This year again, Republic Bank with its popular “Blue Thunder” Kadooment band of 200 revellers strong and in full costume, will join thousands of revellers on the road for Republic Bank Grand Kadooment, jumping and jamming from the National Stadium to The Mighty Grynner Highway.