“SM@RT-BARBADOS™” Blockchain and Technology-Driven Initiative to Completely Transform Caribbean Island Economy

The Tokenizer April 28, 2019

This World First, Multi-sector, Sustainable Economic Development Initiative, will forever redefine the meaning of “Impact Investment.”

NEW YORK, April 26, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — SM@RT, a US Blockchain-based Sustainable Economic Development Company, has announced the prelaunch of SM@RT BARBADOS™. This new strategic initiative has two purposes. It will introduce into Barbados the first, fully eco-designed and sustainable properties, for development and investment. It is also formulated to accelerate the economic recovery of the island-nation, after a decade of economic decline and international financial ratings downgrades. Facing increased competition, limited foreign exchange reserves and a national debt burden in excess of GDP, the road to recovery for Barbados’ economy appeared to be a long and painful one for its citizens. SM@RT intends to change that.

SM@RT CEO Robin Belle delivering a keynote at a Blockchain event in Barbados, with the theme "Vision of Future Barbados". — SM@RT CEO Robin Belle delivering a keynote at a Blockchain event in Barbados, with the theme “Vision of Future Barbados”.

SM@RT Core Team Members at Barbados' Permanent Mission to the UN, New York, NY. From left are: Barbados Ambassador to the UN, Miss Liz Thompson, LLM, MBA - Robin Belle, Socio-economic Entrepreneur and Founder/CEO of SM@RT - Michelle Chivunga BSc, Blockchain Specialist and International Policy Expert. Another core team member, Michael Grimes, CPA, CGA, was unavailable due to prior commitments in Barbados. — SM@RT Core Team Members at Barbados’ Permanent Mission to the UN, New York, NY. From left are: Barbados Ambassador to the UN, Miss Liz Thompson, LLM, MBA – Robin Belle, Socio-economic Entrepreneur and Founder/CEO of SM@RT – Michelle Chivunga BSc, Blockchain Specialist and International Policy Expert. Another core team member, Michael Grimes, CPA, CGA, was unavailable due to prior commitments in Barbados.

The initiative brings together a global consortium of technology solution companies from diverse economic sectors, including Renewable Energy, Transportation and Aquaculture. These companies are committed to leveraging their new and innovative tech solutions, to drive faster economic growth in Barbados, by attracting a minimum of US$1 Billion in foreign direct investment for development projects over ten years.

As explained by Robin Belle, a social enterprise/technology entrepreneur, Blockchain advocate and architect of the initiative, “It takes a highly strategic and creative approach, to dramatically transform a country’s economic performance and international standing in the short to medium term. It requires major buy-in and coordinated action by multiple stakeholder groups locally and internationally.” Mr. Belle, a citizen of Barbados, is Founder and CEO of SM@RT, the US company behind the initiative.

In its thrust to Revitalize Economic Activity on the island, SM@RT will lead a Utility Voucher OfferingTM (UVO™), which is a Barbados Crowdfunding/Marketing Campaign with the promotional theme #BuildBarbadosBack. It involves the global sale of Digital Gift Vouchers to Barbadians and visitors to Barbados, who love Barbados and want to play their part in supporting the island’s economic transformation.

SM@RT will also seek to Finance the Execution of Major Development Projects in Barbados across 20 different sectors, implementing the advanced technologies of the consortium companies. This will be accomplished via a Blockchain- based Security Token Offering (STO) in several stages, where international “accredited investors” will purchase “Revenue Share Token” securities tied to specific sectoral development projects.