Submitted by the Mahogany Coconut Think Tank and Watchdog Group
Sir Kyffin Simpson
The traditional corporate sector, in the Caribbean and in Barbados in particular, is not known as risk takers. Quite frankly, we believe that the development of the region has been systematically hampered by this traditional corporate class which has deep roots in the retail trade and are often afraid to venture out of their comfort zones.
This fear has led to the virtual paralysis of agriculture and has left the door wide open for foreign investors to reap benefits in industries such as manufacturing and tourism. Even in the area of sports and other leisure activities, this corporate group has often ignored investment opportunities. They preferred to invest in: private yacht clubs, polo and other activities, which have no real appeal to the masses. However, it would be dishonest to argue that their investments in horse racing have not brought employment opportunities for the working class.
We have noted that the failure of the corporate elite to heavily invest in West Indies cricket, is a glaring example of leaving the field open to the Kerry Packers and Allen Stanfords ,sometimes with negative results, as was the case of Stanford. West Indies cricket was fractured to some degree by Kerry Packer but we survived that episode, quite well, because the players were handsomely rewarded. Stanford turned out to be a dishonest investor.
Against this background, we give our support to prominent Barbadian businessman and entrepreneur Sir Kyffin Simpson’s mega agricultural investment in Guyana. Sir Kyffin’s record as a model employer and his generosity to charitable causes are well known throughout Barbados. He is revered for having built the Suzuki motor vehicle franchise and more recently his investments in the petroleum industry have made him one of the most highly respected corporate citizens in the region.
According to the Nation Newspaper (Barbados): “The farm, located in Santa Fe in the Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo region some 231 miles (or 371 km) south-west of Georgetown, will be producing rice, corn, soya, cow beans, guar and eventually moso bamboo trees primarily for export. Already 10 000 acres are being prepared for cultivation and this will be extended by another 30 000 acres as production is steadily increased. Sir Kyffin has the option of tripling this acreage if the venture proves successful.”
We are not surprised that his astute business mind has led him to the country of Guyana, which is abundant with land and other resources extremely suited to the agro business Sir Kyffin has in view. We also see his investment as a regional one and hopefully it inspires others to acknowledge that the Caribbean is one nation with abundant opportunities. We cannot continue to encourage insular economic planning and thinking. Caribbean citizens should be encouraged to invest in all Caribbean states.
We believe strongly that all those who follow Sir Kyffin’s achievements will wish him well with his Guyana mega agro business venture.
So typical of any government in Bim, sit back and watch certain businessmen take risks that could and do net them millions, while the government continues their dependency programs. When McPartland finishes British tourist travel for them, hope they got a plan B.
Maybe its an impossible dream, but could Sir Kyffin put aside part of that land for a Barbadian farming co-operative, so that we could grow what we feed to our visitors?
@Adrian
Sir Kyffin is a businessman.
David,
but he is a good businessman and I am sure can see the national benefits of working with people. Look at what he has done in China with Land Rover and BMW Mini. Couldn’t have done it on his own.
@Adrian
Understood but he does not need to partner with Barbadians unless he feels inclined to be philanthropic.
Adrian…that would have been nice…:(
Another point that would have been also nice was if the Guyana deal was going to be primarily growing ‘food’ for Barbados…
Yet another point that would also have been nice was if a deal was put in place that the transportation of food between Barbados and Guyana would be done efficiently, fast and without taxes/duties on same.
And another point that would have been THE BEST OF ALL based on this information: “will be producing rice, corn, soya, cow beans, guar and eventually moso bamboo trees primarily for export. Already 10 000 acres are being prepared for cultivation and this will be extended by another 30 000 acres as production is steadily increased”…… would be to know that Mr. Simpson understood the health problems caused by GMO FOODS and that he could stand and say unequivocally that the rice, corn, cow beans and the soya he is planting is REAL…and not genetically modified. We have so many reports and studies being done on GMO but we continue to lay our heads down in the fields digging for the golden treasure…only to kill. Ah well…money first.
Love the bamboo part as much can be done with this. But the guar? Well it will make some real money that is for sure…as it is used in the oil industry. So make dat money perhaps… and use dat for the good of the people by farming the good stuff. Imagine if Barbados as its tourism package could say ALL OUR FOOD IS CERTIFIED ORGANIC AND FARMED WITH YOUR HEALTH IN MIND.
Who knows…perhaps Mr. Simpson knows all of the above and is planning not go with GMO…and perhaps even ORGANIC veggies and who knows maybe EVEN cattle/bird etc farming…Black Belly Sheep and all part of the plan…10,000 acres is a lot of land and 30,000 acres is mega…internet will show that 3 tons of ORGANIC food per year can be grown on 1 acre….so if he uses his acreage well, we will once again have some real food ’bout hey…..health bill will go down and all can be happy; food bill could go down too and all that money could be used to re-build our tourism, our health and educational institutions. Not only this but if Mr. Simpson pays his farm workers well (as he is well known to do with those who work with him)…we (a) all know how Bajans love to farm abroad although not at home…and (b) Guyanese like to come here because farming pays them better…so it does not take a rocket scientist to see that this would help the Barbados and Guyana economy by employment…and aid immigration who seem desperate to stop more Caribbean people coming here to earn their monies. Winning all round eh? Hmmmm. Food for thought? Wishful thinking? Who knows.
Well I would certainly like to know…the way I see it is this…I admire Mr. Simpson and all he does…but at the end of the day Barbadians who love cars made him the mogul he is today…yes! he is an astute businessman and that is also to be admired greatly….a lot of thought went in to his daily life obviously so perhaps by thinking for Barbadians who have shown they cannot for themselves re their personal well being…he might really, really bring us some good news and give back to his country in a healthy and wise way! Bless his heart. I am sure he has this in mind….knowing him. Well not personally…’cause I do not know the gentleman personally but…. the accolade above speaks for itself…”Sir Kyffin’s record as a model employer and his generosity to charitable causes are well known throughout Barbados.”
As far as BU is aware Barbados is still owed tens of millions of dollars by Guyana under the multilateral facility. Are saying that Barbados does not intend to call this debt? Especially against of the boast that Guyana is not doing so well given its commodity based economy? Here is and opportunity to do a swap deal but what do we expect from jokers in suits whose main quality in austere timed is to grow their guts read waistline?
Adrian………..please tell me what is stopping the governments in Bim from investing tax payers dollars in 1000-5000 acres of this cheap land in Guyana for the benefit of Bajans, they take taxpayers money and waste it on everything else with very little or no returns. Simpson doing so would only lead to more dependency and complaints…………..what are these two interchangeable governments being paid for?? It’s obvious that it is not because they are innovative.
David………..what you are saying now makes it more important for government if they have anything left between their ears, to do a swap job, what is owed by Guyana for land, they may end up with 50,000 or 100,000 acres, maybe more…………..again, this depends on if there is anything left between their ears other than self-serving air.
LeWeSee,
‘certified Organic’ – what a great marketing tool.
Well Well,
All it takes is a little vision and a will to implement things.
Adrian……….where there is no vision, the people perish, how do we instill vision in this current crop of leaders………………..certified organic is the in thing now in North America and around the world, if you can prove your exports did not use pesticides or any banned chemicals during their growth, Canada absolutely does not allow agricultural products with chemicals to enter their shores, your source markets are guaranteed. Chemical grown foods are causing a heavier burden on the countries health expenses. Genetically modified foods are another source of concern………………..given the size of Bim, I don’t even know why there is a problem to fix what needs fixing…………..are these politicians being paid for their looks…………..waste of money.
Adrian…Certified Organic is the best marketing tool for Barbados. Simple as that. Apart from all the other pluses. Tell this to the Minister of Agriculture.
A good reason why food MUST be a priority.
…and the Minister of Tourism for that matter.
Its an exciting dream many many years from realisation. To be practical, the cultivation of 10,000 acres would require at lest 30,000 people, even with mechanisation. So we are talking a major population shift as it is highly unlikely that such a large number of people can be bussed in and our of this region from Georgetown on a daily basis. And if such large numbers are to relocate there we would be talking of creating a mid size town or colony and to achieve this all the necessary infrastructure will have to be in place – a tent city would bot be sustainable. Housing, health care, shopping entertainment and other human facilities would be needed. And he could as well consider creating food processing plants at farm gate.
If all the requsite parts for such a development can be put in place it might be doable but hardly on Guyanese labour alone. Sir Kiff might already be considering a Caribbean model of the US and Canadian farm labour program – moving labour from across the Caribbean for contract periods.
However deep are his pockets I fail to see success in his lifetime, but then, he might just be the fore runner to the new regional private sectors and Governments collaborating to engineer success in food production in the region. If not Sir Kiff or our governments rest assured the Chinese will eventually get around to it. They have both labour and captial, critical factors of production in such an endeavour.
I Wish sir Kiff well but caution agains the objective realities, which are: distance from the population, lack of sufficient labour,argronomic consideration, needed infrastructure, and the list goes on.
It could be three decades away from realisation, but doable!!
@ David
Wunna could talk all wunna want to…
Charity still begins at home…..
Dey got hundreds of acres of land bout here growing cow itch and laying idle so that owners can cut it up and sell as house spots…
…not a snake – except the one fellow that bout down in st Andrew
….land that we have worked for centuries and should understand
We can’t make head or tail of this idle land here, but wunna have visions of cultivating thousands of acres in Guyana where the culture is different; the climate is different; the snakes have papers for the land; and the politics is sketchy….
Wunna guh long……
Have always said Barbados first…no reason why about 10 acres of land here cannot provide enough food for the island once done right…if anyone cares to read the above…3 acres can provide a ton of food per year…but no one appears to want to do it…why when we can wear a tie or a nice dress with fancy shoes and become a doctor, a lawyer, an accountant or even sell behind a fast food counter where we can be idle and chat to our friends all day….so if it being done in Guyana fine. Still say wherever it is done, eho cares….as long as it is ORGANIC and as long as Barbados gets fed. And yes…30,000 acres is a lot but farm programmes? Why not eh? As I said…I give kudos to whoever wants to farm…but hey! can we leave Monsanto and its GMO pesticides and seeds outta de equation??? Sickening!
Plantation Restaurant
An aside , Nation news reports that the Pantation Restaurant is closing and about 65 ees going home
BU follow up with more info
Guyana Investment
Postive move by Mr. Simpson , this is what diversifying is all about.
Why wunna feel Guyana owe Barbados so much money from the clearing facility…?
There have always been some people in Barbados with more dollars than sense…. Some of these economics things are really very basic….
If you want to know which of your children will become a successful farmer, look for the child that always growing things in the backyard, that got things growing in pots, that got seeds germinating all ’bout the place etc….
If you take up a mortgage and buy a farm for a son who always dress up pretty …or who always at the cinema with a girl – you would know what to expect…
Just because a fellow make nuff money importing Japanese cars and selling them at high profit – in an environment where they can get Government to clamp down on any competition (like the reconditioned car business) does not mean they can succeed in other areas.
Does Cow have an Agroprocessing plant?
Is the dairy industry flourishing?
What about Bizzy and Red Jet?
When Bushie can hear that Simpson hired Lowdown and the sheep fellow from St Philip and that they are advising him that this makes sense….wunna got Bushie on board.
…and if the Ministry of Agriculture on board with the plan – the bushman done know that Guyana getting ready to owe we some more blenzers…..
Fool me once shame on you
Fool me twice …I am a brass bowl…. 🙂
@Everton
Why the negativity, typical bajan response do nothin but criticse
@Bushie
Charity begins at home , come out the bush , Mr. Simpson done enough in Bdos
This investment is for the international commodities market,earning foreign exchange
@NEW BLOOD
Nonsense!
This is a private individual who has decided to invest in Guyana. What has this got to do with forex coming into Barbados
@David
What part is nonsense: Commodities , earning foreign exchange
What will the private corp do with the profits
What currency his corps need
I seem to remember many years ago that Guyana offered Barbados a plot of land the size of Barbados, gratis, to use for agriculture and to develop. Anyone else remember this?
Yes, we can grow much here. And we do need to use the arable land properly. But Guyana’s soil is, I am given to understand, far richer.
Go Sir Kyffin! Great idea…once he is not using Montsano seeds.
Little bird also told me that someone ‘high up’ in international banking has restored his ‘pile’ in Ireland, has added more fruit trees to orchards, restored the walled vegetable garden, and brought in livestock as his feeling is that in the next few years money is going to mean zero.
So, we best get planting in our little plots,pull out the home made bamboo fishing rod, and barter for food. I got my little plot, but got to go find some bamboo…perhaps Sir Kyff could send some for us, and at the same time send a lil’ beans and rice too.
@LeWeSee
U ask why no one in Bim wants to farm?
Simple— interview with a black brother some years back and he said that people come thief his produce…PREDIAL LARCENY and then the monkeys take 25%+ and he loses money after hard work in the field. I believe him do you?
Many years ago some white farmers had a gun battle with crop thieves about 3 am one morning and they say the idiot raised his gun at them and they turned him into a tea strainer!!!
Farming in Bim is not going to happen under these conditions. Many highly qualified agriculturists have tried.
@Moneybrain
You are correct, Patrick Bethel comes to mind. Even Sir Cow was on the radio last year almost to tears at how lightly the court system treat with those apprehend for stealing product/animals.
@Bushie
Very valid points that success does not necessarily translate.
However, Sir Kyff stands a higher probability than most. The Japs have very closed society and Corporate sector BUT yet they made Sir Kyff the first white guy to be a director of any Japco. It was not for selling couple Suzuki cars in Bim, BUT for profitably developing the entire Latin American region from lil Bim.
Bajans should be proud of his accomplishments as we are with many academics, athletes etc
May I place on record my appreciation and admiration of this example of sound entrepreneurialism. If only governments of both colours had this kind of vision Barbados would be in a better place.
This, for those politicians and civil servants, is what is called food security.
There is no question that this initiative represents a good idea. It is forward thinking and even brave.
….so was RedJet
…so was GEMS
…so was Jeff Broomes
Reality is a bird of a very different colour.
If we can’t solve the little home problems – like about a dozen idiots who go around and steal farmers crops and sell them to a few dozen crooked wholesale buyers,….how the hell will we succeed in South American countries where robbers use AK47s and some are dressed in police/army uniforrms?
If we can’t get a damn Dairy industry to work when all the infrastructure is already in place and COW is fully supporting the initiative – how is it so obvious that we can deal with inevitable transnational conflicts?
Trinidad just had a major power outage due to “Challenges with their gas supplies”. They are looking to reduce their dependency on gas.
…Barbados is now looking at a $300M pipeline to bring gas from T&T…. Smart!
Now If people like Hoad and other locals who DEMONSTRATED that they can succeed locally in agriculture, and overcome local challenges DESPITE THE PROBLEMS – were looking to expand- Bushie could follow that….
If Guyana was a utopia where all was rosy and cheery, why the hell have Guyanese been all looking to live anywhere else…?
If Guyanese found it easier to come to Barbados and work land, what is the logic that drives a reverse project?
@ New Blood
“Bushie come out the bush…”
******
LOL
Yuh could take the bushman out of the bush, but you can’t take the bush out of the bushman…. 🙂
….you should try some new blood…clears the mind.
…bush tea that is…not the stuff that Onions smokes…
“Mr Simpson has done enough for Barbados”
***********
Ha Ha Ha LOLOL
Like what? What do you not get about the concept of “to whom much is given, much is expected…”
…you mean like a few millions here and a few millions there…?
…don’t mek joke….
The big problems in Barbados are related to lack of integrity, lack of transparency….to lack of GOVERNANCE.
…don’t you think that Mr Simpson is WELL PLACED to influence such critical issues….? Not only as a wealthy, influential and successful businessman, but as a practicing Christian….
…with a fatherly comment
…a stern reprimand
…some fatherly guidance?
You feel they could diss him like they diss Caswell? 🙂
Him giving 20 million to charity is like Onions giving $10 to the offering….(if old onions used to go to church….) ..and it does not come near to the old widow’s mite…..
…done enough Indeed!!!
How can one do “enough” for the country that MADE you….?
On a related note, who read yesterday the guys who run the Subway franchise in Barbados dissing James Paul? If it was not so embarrassing it would be hilarious.
http://www.nationnews.com/index.php/articles/view/subway-boss-knocks-paul/
Do not get me started on Subway….most of that sandwich is not even food.
@LeWeSee
Please enlighten us.
@ Bush Tea
Sir Kyffin has bought land just under half the size of Barbados, which is just over 100000 acres.
Don’t drift in the Bajan pathology of criticism or doubt. What he has done so far is very positive. Let us celeb rate it.
:Living in London you meet people from all over the world. And of those, Bajans are the most negative
Let us praise Sir Kyffin.
The Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas should be amended to accommodate this type of activity. Good luck to Sir Kyffin.
Agree that this is a bold initiative. The only disappointment so far is that the national benefits cannot be identified i.e. forex generation. Is Sir Kyffin managing this Guyana deal from an offshore domicile?
@ Bushie
diss Caswell, why bring Cassie in this, the BLP don”t take Cassie seriously
@ David
Is there a connection between Mr Simpson and Brazil on this investment
@NEW BLOOD
Details on this project are sketchy no doubt operating under an NDA. If Sir Kyffin has invested so heavily we have to believe there is a plan. The guy has not accumulated millions by being stupid and it is money to lose.
The Haloutes of Chefette should come to Brooklyn, open a branch and offer some good roti; Bdos is where you will find Bajan
@David
The foreign exchange benefit for Mr Simpson , the commodities i.e: rice, soya etc,wil be sold in US dollars, given that continued price increase in this sector.
Mr Simpson Bdos operations are major forex buyers, given the current forex concerns of Bdos; Mr Simpson is covering is white ass
Jesus H Christ
Bush Tek every word outa my mout’ … every single word …!
David
Guyana is in a trade surplus with Barbados hear … has been for years… This multilateral thing is now just propaganda …
Money
I hate to admit it, but you ring a chord ..
@Baffy
Not sure you are correct that the CMCF does not continue to have a balance outstanding owed to Barbados by Guyana. A check of the relevant CBB Report should clarify.
@NEW BLOOD
If he is hedging as you suggest then we can speculate two ways;
1. He is generation payment options to sustain his core business (car and oil distribution) and/or 2. He does not have confidence in local/regional markets in which he currently operates.
I suppose a plot half the size of Barbados ain’ gun do too much harm to the rain forest and the indigenous ppl. But rain forest land is horrible land, is it not? Very shallow and lacking in nutrients etc
Somebody say that the Government should take tax payers money and invest it in similar venture (ignoring the local land with the t’iefs and monkeys) … hmmm, wait, Guyana accepting Bajan currency now …?
@Baffy
Exemplary knowledge of rainforest soil chemistry. However, this land is in the Essequibo lowlands, downstream in rich alluvial soil. BTW there are islands in the Essequibo river that are 2x the size of Bim.
The Govt could initially finance say 100 acre plot in Bim where 100-200 peeps could sign up to work a plot, provide security from monkeys and “earlyrisers” and then be paid through what they sell. We must remember that local pols dont really want anything to do with agriculture due to the historically induced negative psychology. Time to encourage Bajans that local food production and thereby feeding our people trumps the legacy of slavery which was stopped nearly 180 years ago. Actually, we have great difficulty transporting produce from places like Dominica to Bim. Just couple weeks back Dominicans were complaining to me about how much of their fruit and veg goes to waste and not to waist.
Afterall should we be trusting whitey in Europe and the US to produce food
and support our tourism? DEm cant even manage their banking system!
David…just a few little things about Subway…please note nearly everything is imported from the US
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1365424/Subway-vs-McDonalds-The-artery-clogging-truth-favourite-fast-food-chains.html
and then:
http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2012/06/12/food-babe-investigates-is-subway-real-food/
and boy…here are some lists of the ingredients inside some of the offered foods:
http://healthwyze.org/index.php/component/content/article/540-the-2010-worst-restaurant-of-the-year-award-goes-to-subway.html
We could go on and on…but Subway is a Franchise and like most Franchises they are all supposed to be run under one rule….so decide for yourself, look into all the information and decide for yourself…me? Would not be caught dead there. And I have a right to say that…when I know that the bread alone is GMO…hell no sweetie-pie!!!
Money
I ain’ know wah diet you on this year, but as long as we stay away from Geopolitics, we could be great friends … HA HA HA
The definition of island makes your comment comparing with the size of Barbados correct, but in reality all that has happened is that the river made a fork and joined up again some distance further on.
I have always believed that the master plan for the Caribbean is to push all the undesirables, (you know Black and Indian people) off of the islands and have them take up land on the mainland. In the plan the beaches and golf course inlandscape of the islands will be the preserve of the rich White species …
The plan has commenced … 🙂
David
My information comes from an international consultant who was employed by a local firm on contract for the Government of Bim. I am pretty damned sure that the debt is now in our court …
@Baffy
The planners have FAILED!!! U ever been up by Durants Golf Course?
Ever since Tiger ( The Thai who darker folks have fully adopted) start kicking ass, dark bros really started playing Golf enmasse!
So now the tables are turned and it is Whitey going to Muddiville to produce the food. Now we know most of Guyana in Bim so maybe it is what Froooon been cooking up all this time to repatriate the Guyanese!
I know that like me, you sense something afoot … HA HA HA.. Somet’ing don’ smell right … All is not what it seems 🙂
What Simpson does with his money should be no concern of ours.
Bajans will continue to buy his cars and oil and make him even richer.
Barbados needs food security and Guyana is not part of Barbados.
I am convinced that most of you still think there is going to be an economic boom soon but it is not happening anytime soon.
Forget Guyana and focus on Barbados.
Agriculture, solar and wind energy should be the focus so you don’t have to waste the forex earned by Tourism.
What’s all the hullabaloo about what Simpson does with his money? Businessmen take risk and at least he is gambling with his own money not Gov’ts and that’s what capitalism is all about.
Some of the other locals of a different hue choose not to invest their money but keep it close to them preferably next to a topsie and others prefer to invest theirs in fast women and slow horses.
Hal said, “:Living in London you meet people from all over the world. And of those, Bajans are the most negative”
…100% agree
While admiring Simpson for his risk taking in diversifying his business………..who don’t know should realize that whatever Simpson does for Barbados, is a GIVING BACK…………without Errol Barrow and the people of Barbados, he might not be this successful, even with his skills. It is now up to the government to use brains to benefit their people instead of waiting on and/or depending on Simpson,COW, bizzy, jada, etc, etc…………this continues to make them look incompetent, needy, etc. etc.
@Well Well
Very few Govts anywhere on Earth have proved competent. Japan between 1947-1985, Singapore 1965-present would be examples. So we must be careful when wishing for Govt involvement.
Let’s learn from Jap/ Sing strategic planning where Govt brings together the stakeholders ie top business, academic, union participants to review possible national strategic initiatives for the betterment of all. The problem in many countries is that the Pols are there for their OWN betterment first, foremost and only. Others deserve the crumbs!
I have been calling for the ruling party in Bim, regardless of which, to have the maturity to appreciate the gargantuan gravity of the current global economic/ financial mess which is centred around the Atlantic basin and to convene the best, cleverest, most experienced participants to strategise about HOW Bim can solve this wicked conundrum. I very much doubt it will ever happen! Bajan’s will be victimised by poor management which may crush our standard of lioving for the next 10-20yrs.
Money Brain………….I wish they would listen to you, they are not listening to anyone else. The problem with bringing together all the shareholders in small island states, they start to fight among themselves and we still see the haves (alot of wealth) gap widening compared to the have nots. One would think that governments would be able to bring equal wealth sharing to the masses with intelligent programs, they do promise all that in their manifestos, the reality is always completely different.
@Well Well
Singapore is a small island state with 5mn people on 400 sq miles, higher density than Bim by far. The problem is the attitude of leadership! We can easily develop a list of potential problems in convening strategic participants, ie big dogs taking advantage would be very high on the list. However, that is what great management is all about, NOT allowing stars to hogg the show is easily learnt from observing the management of successful Sports teams.
The critical aspect is getting ahead of the problems and ensuring that the strategies developed lead to an increase in overall standard of living versus what it would otherwise would have been.
@ Well Well
“….I wish they would listen to you”
************
…they would listen to Sir Kiff…..SERIOUS!
That represents his greatest potential benefit to Bim…not any millions that he can contribute, nor any investment in Guyana ( which will last only as long as he is able to personally manage the project before some idjut come and mash it up)
if Sir Kiff could influence some changes in GOVERNANCE in Barbados which could move us towards a meritocracy rather that the current institutionalized mediocracy that we have perfected (and HE can) that has FAR more potential benefits than any monetary investments that he can make.
Money is not our main problem (we wasted billions in the last 20 yrs)
Our main problem is idiocy in high places.
@Bushie
I wish it was ONLY idiocy! It is the combination of IDIOCY and CORRUPTION that is absolutely lethal as cyanide to the economy!
We should immediately offer top $$$$ to attract the finest minds to politics! In Singapore pols make like $3mn/ yr, Bim should double or triple their salaries BUT with heavy penalties via serious Integrity Legislation for any transgression.
Bush Tea………………………from your mouth to God’s ears…………..but like I was telling Adrian, even involving Simpson to teach these leaders management skills will still result in the comfort zone of dependency, they have to start using raw brain power to better the lives of the population they love to make forgotten promises to during elections, this will wean them off the dependency of others in making important decisions of national interest.
Money Brain………….Singapore is a fantastic example of how serious managing a country should be taken, business is serious………………..not to mention that there is zero tolerance for any corruption in Singapore, you can lose your limbs, get caned or lose your head…………..these people are serious as heart attacks………..they are nothing like the saga boys and play boyes we have running the governments in the Caribbean while thinking corruption is a comedy act and they are entitled to play.
Singapore is 274 sq.mi with a pop.of 5.3m as per Wiki
It is by far one of the most densely populated countries per square mile in the world, yet they make their economy work.
Singapore has nearly 1 mn people that are really expats. Credit Suisse has even moved their Personal Financial Planning Group HQ there. I would never dream that Bim could implement a Strategic Plan exactly like Sing because those people are workaholics, they really overdo their activity!
My wife’s relatives still work 60 hr+ week for their employers even though they have a net worth over $10mn. In Bim they at least would be working for themselves or retired to some degree. I have seen those guys leave a Bday Party at 9.30pm on a Sunday night to go to the office to work! There relaxation time might be a Golf game on a Sat morning.
If Bim coiuld bridge the gap b y half we would be far ahead of the Cbean.
Money……………..on the last decade there was talk about extending the working day in Bim, that idea was BLP, that is what it was talk…………..they do not yet recognize that this not only attracts new investors but also increases employment through the shift system.
A 24 hour working day can make a big difference in a dying economy, once you can find confident investors.
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@ Heather