The popular position held by citizens when things go wrong, and Caribbean people are no exception, is to blame the political directorate. Six years after the meltdown on Wall Street which caused havoc on much of the global economy our islands depend, our leaders in the Caribbean both in political and civil society – continue to use the same old approaches. Is it not obvious to those with sense that the way business was done pre-2008 now requires a different thinking and approach?
Many continue to engage in an asinine debate that we have only a production problem. BU suggest we also have a consumption problem exacerbated by the fact the majority of our people are hooked on products and services made overseas. We can go further and suggest that our thinking process has been likewise infected and this has affected our ability to value the urgent need to promote and give outlet to indigenous talent.
Also of importance is the necessity for the people of any nation to carve out a space to accommodate the talent an skills of its people. By doing so we have a chance to perpetuate our identity as a people which gives root to building self esteem and confidence. Of course there is the economic value to the national coffers which a vibrant cultural expression can give opportunity to.
The news that that The Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) has cancelled this years’ Design Caribbean scheduled for October should concern Caribbean people. The Caribbean Export press release refers to “the sheer number of applicants received is a clear indication of the importance of the craft and design sector to the region as a whole” YET the inexplicable decision to cancel in order to “regroup“.
Now why would would Caribbean Export cancel an opportunity for Caribbean people to display God given talents to the world. This is at a time when our region needs to produce.
Read the press release:
Bridgetown, Barbados, August 12, 2013. The Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) announces the cancellation of this years’ Design Caribbean scheduled for October 25-27, 2013 in Freeport, Grand Bahama, The Bahamas.At the recently held meeting of the Board of Directors, the strategic direction of Design Caribbean was discussed at length and how this platform could best serve the regional craft and design sector. The decision was taken to cancel at this seasons event to re-group and put in-place the infrastructure to develop long-term, sustainable support to the sector. The sheer number of applicants received is a clear indication of the importance of the craft and design sector to the region as a whole. For that reason Caribbean Export is committed to delivering a Design Caribbean that facilitates sustainable development and growth.Design Caribbean must be developed in a way that produces results, promotes and increases regional exports to the international market. In view of this the Agency will continue to work assiduously to develop a strategy that facilitates the attendance of CARIFORUM firms at international buying events as part of Design Caribbean.For more information or questions please contact JoEllen Laryea at jlaryea@carib-export.com orcall +1 246 436 0578.
http://www.designcaribbean.com/press/design-caribbean-2013-cancellation-notice
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