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Born: 17 October 1949
Country: Barbados
Prime Minister of Barbados: 7 September 1994 - 16 January 2008 |
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Fifth Prime Minister of Barbados (7 September 1994 - 16 January 2008)
Owen Seymour Arthur assumed office as Barbados’ fifth Prime Minister on September 7, 1994.
He was born in Barbados on October 17, 1949, and was educated at All Saints Boys’ School, the Coleridge and Parry School and Harrison College.
Mr. Arthur undertook Undergraduate and Post Graduate studies at the University of the West Indies and holds a Master of Science degree in Economics.
He has had a varied professional career. It began in Jamaica as a Research Assistant in the Department of Management, Mona, in 1973, included a five (5) year stint at the National Planning Agency of Jamaica, and as Director of Economics of the Jamaica Bauxite Institute between 1979 and 1981.
On his return to Barbados in 1981, he served as Chief Project Analyst in the Ministry of Finance and Planning before moving to the Institute of Social and Economic Research of the University of the West Indies as a Research Fellow.
Mr. Arthur has also performed public service in the capacity of a member of the Boards of Directors of the Jamaica Scientific Research Council, and of the Barbados Industrial Development Corporation, and the Central Bank of Barbados . He served as Chairman of the Barbados Agricultural Development Corporation between 1982 and 1984.
Mr. Arthur’s political career began when he was appointed to the Barbados Senate in 1983. He was elected to the House of Assembly in 1984, and served as Leader of the Opposition between 1993 and 1994.
He led the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) to victory in the General Elections of 1994, 1999 and 2003. It is the first instance since Independence that a political party has been successful at the polls in three consecutive Elections. Since becoming Prime Minister of Barbados, Mr. Arthur has assumed lead responsibility, within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), for the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME).
He has also served as Chairman of the Commonwealth Ministerial Group on Small States, Chairman of the Global Conference on Small States, and Co-chairman of the Global Forum to deal with the OECD Harmful Tax Competition Initiative.
He has also had varied experience as a Consultant - to the Organisation of American States, CARICOM and to the Ministry of Housing and Lands in Barbados and has published a number of papers on trade, integration and technology, balance of payments and economic adjustment issues.
Mr. Arthur is the holder of the Order of José Marti of Cuba.
His hobbies include gardening and cooking.
He is married to the former Julie Ann Price.
On 15 January 2008, the Barbados Labour Party unsuccesfully contested the General Elections. Mr. Arthur continues to serve in the House of Assembly as the representative for the constituency of St. Peter.
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