Robert Cartade, O.C.
ROBERT CARTADE, who represented the Kingdom of Belgium as Honorary Consul in Kingston from 2000 to 2005, was honoured at a function at the Embassy of Belgium in Kingston June 8, when he received the award of Knight in the Order of the Crown from the Ambassador, Herman Portocarero.
Mr. Cartade was awarded this distinction by King Albert the Second, in recognition of his consular work in Kingston. In his opening remarks, the ambassador pointed out that Mr. Cartade's tenure had led to renewed and substantial interest in Jamaica from Belgian companies. He also stressed the fact that Mr. Cartade was instrumental in the successful visit of Mr. Louis Michel, then Belgian Foreign Minister, in late 2003.
Mr. Michel went on to become European Commissioner for Development and the ambassador praised Mr. Cartade for his role in making the future European Commissioner aware of the realities of Jamaica and the Caribbean.
The brief award ceremony was followed by a reception with well-wishers from the consular corps, family and friends of Mr. Cartade.
