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Why You Should Watch the Quarterly Economic Review
Created 30 Jul, 2018
Every quarter, the Central Bank of Barbados publishes its review of Barbados’ economic performance. The video review, delivered by the Governor, is livestreamed on the Bank’s website and YouTube channel, and also posted in its entirety – about 10 minutes – on its Facebook page. These reviews provide insight into how the economy is faring, so if you haven’t been watching them, you should be. Here’s when they take place and what you should be listening out for.
The review is usually released about a month after the end of the previous quarter and covers Barbados’ economic performance so far in the calendar year. This means that while the review at the end of the first quarter will look at January to March only, the one at the end of the second quarter will cover the first six months of the year, and the one at the end of the third quarter looks at the period January to September. The year’s first review, the one that is usually held in January, actually reports on Barbados’ economic performance for the entire previous year.
In the review, the Governor shares key statistics – indicators – that reveal the health of Barbados’ economy. He usually gives an update on economic growth – the increase in GDP (Gross Domestic Product), or put another way, in how much the value of the goods and services Barbados’ produces has increased by, relative to the same time the previous year – as well as on the debt to GDP ratio, which compares how much Barbados owes to the value of what it produces.
The Governor also speaks about the fiscal deficit – how much more the Government is spending
than it is earning (If the Government is earning more than it is spending, that would be called a fiscal surplus). The fiscal deficit is tracked through the fiscal year, so if the Governor mentions “an overall reduction in the fiscal deficit from the previous year”, he is not referring to the calendar year, but rather to the 12 months starting from April and ending at the end of March, since Barbados’ fiscal year is April 1 to March 31.
The quarterly review usually includes other important indicators such as unemployment, the level of international reserves, and the retail price index – how much prices have increased over the past 12 months – as well as an overview of how tourism, one of our biggest sectors, is performing. It typically ends with a forecast for how much the economy is projected to grow as well as the Central Bank’s prescription for what action is needed to strengthen it.
The Central Bank of Barbados’ quarterly economic review provides timely, credible information, and now that you know the areas that help to tell the story of Barbados’ economy, you can keep abreast of how it is performing and of how you can to help improve it.
The next Central Bank of Barbados quarterly economic review will be published Thursday, August 2, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. Watch it live on the Central Bank of Barbados’ website, www.centralbank.org.bb
@ sirfuzzy,
new $25 million headquarters next to Sheraton Mall
Next to Sheraton Mall? Is that east of the Parking lot? Trying to envisage the location but I think there is a vacant bit of land east of the lot between Sheraton and Vauxhall.
Tech returns to the same area where Intel was located.
@ Sargeant,
I posted a link above @ August 3, 2018 10:41 PM
Obama had ONE quarter of above 5 % without any tax cuts.
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Why don’t you do some checking as I suggested earlier before you state this as a fact!!
sirfuzzy
August 3, 2018 10:34 PM
John August 3, 2018 9:40 PM
@John, you have made a very interesting point. Containerisation was becoming the mode of operation. The development at the now deep water habour was going to happen, the leader that was in office at the time just took the applause etc.
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Somebody had to pay to put the Deep Water Harbour there.
Sugar output in the boom following the war years did that.
In 1957 it passed 200,000 tons.
That’s why the Sugar Storage Facility and the conveyor system dominate(d) the facility.
This year sugar output has risen from 2017 to just over 11,000 tonnes, about what it was at the end of slavery almost 200 years ago!!
How many islands in the Caribbean had a Deep Water Harbour from the early 60’s?
How many had exports that could justify the building of such a port?
I seem to remember when I was in St. Vincent c.1989 that it had just built a cruise terminal but my memory is not as good as it used to be.
Certainly it would not have had the economy to support such an investment before Tourism.
It now has an international airport.
I think it was in the process of design around the time I was there.
There was the ET Joshua Airport I used to fly into at the time on LIAT.
No jets landed there at that time, runway too short.
Dominica likewise.
I remember flying into the new Airport there in 1998 and I am pretty sure it could not accommodate jets given the contorted maneuvering the LIAT plane had to perform in landing.
I think it was called Hewanorra Airport but could be mistaken.
The old airport I think still operated on the other side of the island if memory serves me right.
I suspect the Deep Water Harbour serviced the neighbouring islands through the schooner trade but I can’t say that with any certainty.
I seem to remember merchants in Bridgetown travelled to and sold items to the nearby islands so I suspect cargo came to the Deep Water Harbour and was broken down and shipped to their customers.
The French Islands are different.
As departments of France they are way more advanced infrastructurally than any of the independent countries like Barbados, St. Vincent or Dominica.
Martinique and Guadeloupe also had thriving sugar industries, larger than Barbados I believe, think their sugar industries still thrive but could be wrong.
Both will have the benefit of France as a market.
Plus, I suspect it is harder for corruption to flourish to the extent it flourishes in any of the three mentioned islands!!
French Gendarmes are rotated in from metropolitan France so I would imagine it would be difficult to get away with the crap practiced in say Barbados.
So, any body actually believing that Grantley Adams or Erroll Barrow gave Barbados the Deep Water Harbour or the Airport is living in la la land!!
I hear the St. Vincent International Airport under Ralph is a pork barrel!!
@ John,
You have made a good observation with regard to France and her dependencies (horrible word!) – Martinique and Guadeloupe. In another post a couple weeks back, I made a statement that Barbados should seriously consider some form of pact with those islands (our neighbours) and by extension France in an effort to rejuvenate Barbados.
It is evident that Caricom is a failed project and that Barbados could well benefit by establishing genuine ties with France. There was a certain blogger whose name I cannot recall who expressed surprise by my suggestion. However we must take into account that France are one of the big boys whilst Caricom remains a region of handicapped nations.
Martinique has always been the poster child for France, unlike Guadeloupe. However we would be foolish to continue to ignore these two islands.
@Inniss
checkyourfact.com/2017/08/31/fact-check-trump-claims-gdp-never-hit-3-under-obama/
@ john
checkyourfact.com/2017/08/31/fact-check-trump-claims-gdp-never-hit-3-under-obama/
These numbers, however, are not really comparable to the second-quarter growth touted by Trump. Quarterly data compares the change in GDP from the preceding quarter, while yearly data compares the change in GDP from the preceding year.
Although the economy never reached annual growth of 3 percent under Obama, quarterly growth did surpass 3 percent eight times during his presidency. The highest growth recorded was 5.2 percent in the third quarter of 2014.
https://www.statista.com/statistics/188185/percent-chance-from-preceding-period-in-real-gdp-in-the-us/
@ john
Not only did one quarter above 5% but Obama also had another two quarters at or above 4%
Why r u comparing YEARLY gdp with QUARTERLY gdp?????????
May the DLP rest In peace and rise no more.Wunna misguided barefoot,bagbline hoes.Wunna destroy a good and proper country.Between 1628 and 2007 a period of 389 years,the National Debt of Barbados was 6 billion dollars.Why I recall in the late 70’s lil Buhbaydus loaned mighty T n T a few million.Between 2008 and 2018 or a 10 year period,the cavalier and incompetent Democratic Labour Party led by an idyut of colossal proportions,added an additional 9 billion dollars in debt,leaving the country reeling in junk status.Stuart will remain the one PM under whose watch ministers and lawyers raped the treasury like it was their personal ATM.Gaul bline de dems.May they all fry in eternal damnation in that place reserved for the wicked like Rev Charles Morse.
@ Walter Blackman
“More than fifty years have passed. The simple, little politricks remain the same..”
And they will continue. I recall when Barrow legislated salaries in 1975 or thereabout, Tom Admas, then the Opposition Leader blasted Barrow and said that the collective bargaining process should “never” be abandoned. Adams won the government in 1976 and he went on and legislated salaries as well.
Now Walter, you are a big man and I cannot tell you what to do but by now you should have learnt to ignore “Enuff” or is a lot of the ignorance being trumpeted on BU. I actually thought that with the elections over and the trough now opened to the other side, that some on this blog , will be so busy fulling their guts , like their twins did, that we would have been spared from their repetitive garbage but I was wrong. I know about people singing for their supper but now they are blowing trumpets as well…………
Martinique has always been the poster child for France, unlike Guadeloupe.
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Do you know why?
Guadeloupe and Haiti have something in common during the period 1801 -1804!!
Gabriel
August 4, 2018 8:43 AM
May the DLP rest In peace and rise no more.Wunna misguided barefoot,bagbline hoes.Wunna destroy a good and proper country.Between 1628 and 2007 a period of 389 years,the National Debt of Barbados was 6 billion dollars.Why I recall in the late 70’s lil Buhbaydus loaned mighty T n T a few million.Between 2008 and 2018 or a 10 year period,the cavalier and incompetent Democratic Labour Party led by an idyut of colossal proportions,added an additional 9 billion dollars in debt,leaving the country reeling in junk status.Stuart will remain the one PM under whose watch ministers and lawyers raped the treasury like it was their personal ATM.Gaul bline de dems.May they all fry in eternal damnation in that place reserved for the wicked like Rev Charles Morse.
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Guess that is kinda like Obama, except with a few extra 0’s.
Now we have to watch and see if the rate of change in debt will be slowed, stopped and reversed … here and in the US!!
@John
The difference is that the greenback is the reserve currency of the world.
john2
August 4, 2018 8:39 AM
@ john
Not only did one quarter above 5% but Obama also had another two quarters at or above 4%
Why r u comparing YEARLY gdp with QUARTERLY gdp?????????
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Obama was a disaster, Trump may become one too but for the moment, it sure doesn’t look like it!!
@ John August 3, 2018 9:40 PM
“Just shows what simpletons we have in Barbados and how easy it was and is to mislead them!!
What Grantley Adams ever knew about sugar … or containerization?
The Deep Water Harbour was predicated by the world demand for sugar and the booming economy of Barbados as a result of that demand after the war.
Prices were high and it made financial sense to build it to get the sugar into the holds of ships as efficiently as possible!!
Grantley Adams or no Grantley Adams, the Deep Water Harbour would have been conceived and implemented.
Like EWB, he was just a passenger.
Also, containerization was becoming the means of shipment and there was no way a container could be fit on a lighter and then offloaded on the Careenage!!”
You made the above assertion with the conviction of a man injected with a serum made from the bark of economic reality and the leaves of technological change.
The only thing which separates people today from those of those who lived 200 years ago is the alien-imposed master called “Technology” which has shaped their outlook (values) on how they interact with their ‘fellow’ humans and other species.
So, for you to come here and pontificate that is ‘exactly’ the result of technological ‘advancements’ which caused the ‘modernization’ of both ports of entry to Barbados and not the vision (foresight) of some two-bit labour-loving rabble rouser is tantamount to intellectual heresy.
Of course it was not the politically-driven thought processes of GHA which led to the technological improvements to both ports of entry and exit to a changing world along with the economic benefits which accrue.
It was the ‘sovereign’ guarantee provided by a political leader with vision to facilitate the securing of loans to finance the building and upgrading of both national assets to be repaid out of the taxpayers’ purse.
How come you would rather suffer a thousand deaths from perennial intellectually tortuous gymnastics than to simply recant your misguidedly misinformed foolish position that it was the intervention of your god Yahweh and his appointed angels called the Quakers who put an end to slavery in the British West Indies?
Haven’t Peter L. Thompson and others been arguing ad infinitum that is was a combination of economics and technological factors which put a ‘moral’ end to slavery and not some bunch of religious nutters calling themselves Quakers who themselves kept slaves and benefitted commercially from their ‘cheap’ labour and mental incarceration before the onslaught of the ‘Industrial Age’ under the aegis of Empress Victoria?
It is ‘precisely’ because of changing technology that we, living in the ‘Information Age’, can quickly counter, expose and dismiss the long roll of bullshit you like to peddle about slavery on BU.
I followed Hants’ link to the story in Barbados Today about Ross University relocating to Barbados. At the end of the article, here is the first comment:
“Max kleist
This was likely a DLP initiative…as usual the Bs get all the credit”
Yes Walter we have become a society polorized on all issues. Was it you who stayed that BU is a microcosm of the wider society?
@ john
I do not care what Obama was or what trump is
my interest was in your pushing of the 4% increase after the tax cut. That’s why I keep pointing out to you that Obama had 5% increase without tax cut.
like a politician you are digressing.
@Walter Blackman August 4, 2018 11:36 AM
““This was likely a DLP initiative…as usual the Bs get all the credit””
This claim is ‘most likely the case’ given the time-frame surrounding this ‘forced’ relocation.
Would the ‘ruling’ BLP administration be still insisting on the removal of the Coverley death trap just in case the government finds itself facing a multi-million law suit arising out of the ‘untimely but clearly preventable’ death of a white American student even if a post-mortem exam proves that the ‘high’ class student was way over the controllable limit in whatever contraband substance that would be found in his ‘decaying system’?
It only proves that the only difference between the BLP and the DLP are the names of electoral financial backers who are called either Twiddle de-Bees or Twiddle de-Dems.
Desperate situations call for desperate actions.
Barbados needs all the help it can get .
Next logical actions. Legalize Marijuana and Casino gambling.
Hants,
How about legalising prostitution?
William Skinner August 4, 2018 11:01 AM
@ Walter Blackman
“Now Walter, you are a big man and I cannot tell you what to do but by now you should have learnt to ignore “Enuff” or is a lot of the ignorance being trumpeted on BU. I actually thought that with the elections over and the trough now opened to the other side, that some on this blog , will be so busy fulling their guts , like their twins did, that we would have been spared from their repetitive garbage but I was wrong. I know about people singing for their supper but now they are blowing trumpets as well…………”
William Skinner,
Looked at from any angle – the social, political, and economic – the nation of Barbados is floundering. If there is one lesson to be learnt from being stuck in this resultant miasma, it is the need for us a people to be able to unite and fight against our common enemies.
However, there are many negative attitudes being displayed on BU, and my argument is that these attitudes are endemic in the wider society.They need to be highlighted, and concerted efforts must be made to change them.
If you travel around Barbados and listen carefully to the conversations taking place among black people, you are sure to come across this type of everyday dialogue:
“Man, yuh so-and-so idiot, I tell yuh that yuh wrong. You ain’t got a clue about whuh gine on. You should have gone from the womb straight to the tomb, Yuh public nuisance. Yuh effing parasite…….”
“Man, shut yuh effing mout’ yuh kiss-me-……liar. People like you only want killing. Cayenne jail is too good for you. You deserve to be tied behind a cow’s ass and pissed to death”.
The graphic description is a deliberate attempt to get you to see the magnitude of the problem. Nothing is sugar-coated in the general population. As you move from village to village, the black-on-black cursing increases in rawness and intensity. What is the underlying cause?
We simply cannot continue like this. I have no “beef” with any individual blogger on BU.. All I can promise you is that I will ignore some comments, and that I will use some to try to teach and educate. My focus is on bringing attitudes to the surface so that we can all “eyeball” and understand some of the factors which are responsible for where we are today.
It takes twice as long to get rid of negative attitudes as it does to develop them.
How do we go about tackling the massive amount of self-hatred, diffidence, and lashing out that we exhibit as a people? Where do we start.? How can we expect Barbados to become a better place if we don’t start?
It is an extremely daunting task, but, in my opinion, totally ignoring the exhibitors of negative attitudes on BU is not a viable option.
David August 4, 2018 11:53 AM
“Yes Walter we have become a society polorized on all issues. Was it you who (said) that BU is a microcosm of the wider society?”
David,
Yes. It was me.
BU is also proving to be a good political bellwether. A swing in the political pendulum on BU has been followed by a similar directional swing in the mood of the Barbadian electorate.
@Walter
It was an easy call just like the warning being given to Mia and the BLP, hero to zero in the prevailing climate is possible. Also to the third parties, time to make a move, find a way!
Dominica’s loss is Barbados’ gain
Its an ill wind that blew Barbados some good
Just remembered another offshore medical school opened recently and there was some back and forth sniping on these pages, is this new entry an upgrade?
So much for Caricom brotherhood, but if Barbados didn’t pony up you can bet your bottom dollar that another of the sisterhood would step in to fill the need.
Lastly whether the Gov’t be good or whether the Gov’t be bad, whether the Gov’t is BLP or whether the Gov’t is DLP the Maloneys of Barbados will prosper. Soon all the political gadflys who termed the homes “chicken coops” will be singing the praises of the luxury villas in Coverly.
This is not the services or industry we need to grow our economy. Where is the BLP bounce? Where are the private sector investors, the public spending, consumer spending? We are hanging on straws. We cannot even have a proper debate.
@ Cleviston Haynes
Could You tell me why IN ALL YOUR PRONOUNCEMENTS post taking over from the former Governor of the bank Worrell you have make NO MENTION OF
a. The humongous resources that the IDB has made available through the Central Bank
B. The onerous mechanisms to access these monies?
I mean de ole man ent got no resources available to me barring de grandson yet over the last two years three people, SSS, Colonel Buggy and another feller worker a campaign that some believe resulted in not one seat!
What Is your public relations department doing other than sucking their badwords?
Entrepreneurs And other serious persons in out community need resources that the Central Bank aggressively administers and ensures thst your intermediaries DO NOT BEGRUDGINGLY DOLE OUT THE MONEY and the refuse to pay their stipulated premiums and, if the projects fail because governments compete with the recipients of the funding, get unlawful judgements against the Central Bank recipients.
EVEN IN THE FACE OF YOUR GUARANTEES CLEVISTON.
This wickedness that is perpetrated against the indigenous efforts of bajans HAS TO STOP.
IN ONE breath wunna does be talking about ” helping the small black man” and just so with the following breath wunna does be seeking to kill him
I wonder if the Honourable Blogmaster might be disposed to lift that paragraph and make it into a blog like he did for Peter Lawrence Thompson?
A title might be “is Barbados really serious about supporting Microenterprise?
Or ” How can a Barbados Central Bank Guarantee Fail?”
@ the Honourable Blogmaster your assistance please with an item about the ineffective Central Bank guarantee and why it is doomed
@ john
I do not care what Obama was or what trump is
my interest was in your pushing of the 4% increase after the tax cut. That’s why I keep pointing out to you that Obama had 5% increase without tax cut.
like a politician you are digressing.
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https://edition.cnn.com/2017/12/15/politics/is-trumps-bill-largest-tax-cut-in-history-no/index.html
@john
We can argue on whose tax cut it was
So there is a 96 page questionaire making the rounds on social media by the govt asking people to respond to questions about govt owned enterprises with optional answers
Mariposa,
Is this the government that came to power with loads of ideas about the economy? Waffle is waffle, no matter which party it comes from.
warning
How could this be ….trying to figure this one out after m uch loud crticism of past govt by the then opposition now officially present govt of barbados
https://barbadostoday.bb/2018/08/04/govt-too-dependent-on-central-bank-for-financing-warns-bes/
Sargeant
August 4, 2018 1:47 PM
Dominica’s loss is Barbados’ gain
So much for Caricom brotherhood, but if Barbados didn’t pony up you can bet your bottom dollar that another of the sisterhood would step in to fill the need.
So true Sarge.
During past economic downturns many businesses here moved to Trinidad which was raking in billions from inflated oil prices. Cost of doing business there was cheaper they claimed. Our conglomerate Sagicor shifted its main operations to Bermuda. St. Lucia appears to have a policy of stealing projects from us the ARC sailing race being one.
There is discomfort in Ross coming from Dominica that island having more than its share of misfortune. The brotherhood is a fallacy. More coordination and strategic distribution of enterprises within CARICOM would benefit the community. History taught us that is a pipe dream.
It is unfortunate we have to ascribe political motives to every decision. Ross University over the years has taken a bashing from bad hurricanes and the challenges thereafter. There comes a time when students read their parents and management will be have to decide how being located in Dominica is impacting the business read P&L. Barbados is outside of the hurricane zone, a plus, and credit to the former admin has been courting business in this sector. The blogmaster is not a fan but the state of Barbados economic affairs we are not in a strong position to be chosey.
@ Hal Austin August 5, 2018 8:40 AM
Quoting you ‘Waffle is waffle, no matter which party it comes from.”
.. Yes the MAM lead administration did come to the party with loads of ideas. But once reaching the party they have realised its now a FETE. Once joining the FETE they have realised this is nuff nuff BASHMENT. So be prepared to BASHED; as opposed to be feted or partied?
The key words to note is that they came with loads of ideas. Now where is it written that these were all the ideas available or were they “good” ideas. The truth/reality may have caught up with the the new administration. “After saying may hands make light work. they too may have recognised that all the “bad or good or workable” ideas don’t reside in Roebuck Street.
Actually, that is where all the major political parties all fall face down knee deep in bovine or chicken excrement. And they often choose to swim in their newly found liquid medium rather than stand tall and accept ” we ain’t got this”, and ask for our help.
If u look at the Barbados landscape, many of the good ideas don’t make it to Roebuck or George Street. So just remain on the bock, because too many of the political organisations only seek counsel from like-minded contributors. Bird of feather flock together. And where they are a lot/nuff of birds so will they be lots of “yard f…..s” and not to mention plenty of “bird poo” to wallow in. I forgot to mention plenty “kool aid” to wash it down. You go get to pick you colour of “kool-aid” it appears.
We are taught or brainwashed that we are a democracy. Thus “government of the people, by the people, for the people’? yet so many of the decision that affect us are not really made after truly consulting “we the people”.
I do hope that we make another change to our constitution and do it quick. “I am one for the right to recall”. Also, since any “Tom Dick Jane and Harry” can run for “de seat” i think any “Tommy Johnnie or Jenny and Ossie” should have the power to “hall them ass back in line”. The recall process should not be overly cumbersome or lawyer driven. If you don’t need a lawyer’s intervention to run for the for “de seat” no lawyers’ intervention should be needed to start proceedings to “remove you from de seat”
BTW to all a peace and restful Sunday for Tomorrow it is Jump up and Bashment on the road to SGH.
JMT
@ David August 5, 2018 10:23 AM
The blogmaster is not a fan but the state of Barbados economic affairs we are not in a strong position to be chosey.
I have heard it said that its best to kick a man when he is down. I guess there is even less chance of a fight or any resistance from your victim.
Barbados may not be in a strong position but we must still remain choosey. The governing of Barbados is a going concern. it doesn’t stop when new administrations take the helm. I am sure you may have witnessed may short term decision taken by ur friends that have not worked out to well i the future. These friends may have been warned about their preoccupation on the short term and not seing the negative that lurk in the long term.
I hope and pray the RUSM decision will pay positive dividends in the near and long term.
Recently the refrain “many hand make light work” has made the rounds. I want to add “if hot will cool; greedy will wait”. and “taking your time is not laziness”. The turtle did finish the race in first place.
Jmt
The maxim/adage can be applied if we know whether Ross management approached Barbados and the circumstances that led to closing the agreement. Further, it is a competitive environment and as a commenter opined, if not Barbados another island would have accepted. As a Caricom region we do not even have code sharing given the number of fancy airports that now require high taxes to maintain, we do not market as a single brand. The responsibility of the Barbados government is first to sustain the well being of its people. There is consensus that Barbados finds itself is bad place, all the economic indicators support, no need to quibble on this point. There are short term decisions to be made to prepare for the IMF program and at the same time we must eat.
MAM stated something to the effects, she will engage the public input on the SOEs as a part of allowing us a say in they outcome.
It is similar process to “rubbing shoulders” with the different groups to get their input when the Bs were in opposition.
Any sensible leader will adopt a style that gives the appearance that is collaborative even if decisions will be made not by it. It is 101 stuff.
@mariposa. can you understand what the following says?
“This source of funding is unsustainable. Thus, the Government should match expenditures with tax revenues to eliminate the need for additional domestic borrowing in the medium-term,” the BES advised.
It further warned that even though the Prime Minister’s June 11 mini Budget aims to achieve this objective, additional expenditure cuts were necessary to reduce the country’s 155 per cent of GDP debt burden over time.
the Prime Minister’s June 11 mini Budget aims to achieve this objective,
Now people calling me a bully. But if calling out lies and hypocrisy are characteristics of bullying then I stand guilty as charged. Few weeks ago, a certain Mariposa went on and on about consultation, now she’s criticising/belittling consultation. Her sidekick Hal, on his usual soap box, fails to realise or refuses to acknowledge, that the survey is part of the plan to restructure SOEs–one of the “loads of ideas about the economy” promised.
@enuff
You are too funny, cannot help can you. If she went ahead with a slash and burn approach then the JAs would be shouting dictator, dictator. Who months is early days, BU posted a link which is at the top of the page promising for the blog to do a six month assessment. We need to comment yes but it should be tinged with reality. These are some of the same people who are shouting that Barbados is a failed state.
Mariposa,
Is this the government that came to power with loads of ideas about the economy? Waffle is waffle, no matter which party it comes from. (Quote)
Her sidekick Hal, on his usual soap box, fails to realise or refuses to acknowledge, that the survey is part of the plan to restructure SOEs–one of the “loads of ideas about the economy” promised.(Quote)
Is there a need to explain this silliness?
@ Mariposa
you said and I quote “…So there is a 96 page questionaire making the rounds on social media by the govt asking people to respond to questions about govt owned enterprises with optional answers…”
As the Honourable Blogmaster shared with you the questionaire is the rapid path to replace “consultation with the Bajan Populace” and to have a way to say, albeit untruthfully, that this % of bajans said x or y or z.
And then to slash the deadweight organisations
De Ole man heself used a proxy and completed the 96 questions pun a next machine BECAUSE IT WAS SURVEY MONKEY and because it was pun a next machine.
It was truly informative to see the number of duplications and unnecessary organizations, BYBTs, and YESes and Cadet Sports and the National Sports Council and all the rests that abound in barbados one was able to see those that are not needed or those whose functions can be done elsewhere.
Since it is not a Barbados Website, barring the OPTIONAL REQUEST for the user’s email which YOU DO NOT HAVE TO PROVIDE, it was informative
What was missing with the MIX was the Enterprise Growth Funds and the Fund Accesses and the MEDIs (microenterprise Development Institutions) and serfdoms that permits the slush funds for political lackeys.
They were noticeably missing but de grandson doing a ting pun dem too
Hal should instead focus on updating BU on the promises he made in relation to the revitalisation St.Lawrence Gap contained in the below news report. The article epitomises Mr.Austin–a lotta long talk, with little analysis, hence no results.
Drive to revive The Gap – http://www.nationnews.com/nationnews/news/31910/drive-revive-gap
Btw i aint criticising the monkey survey
However what is the purpose of having a truckload of advisers and technocrats with “many” hands and i supposed lots of brains at taxpayers expense then to pay survey monkey at additional cost to post a 96 page questionaire
I meaning barbadians gave the blp a mandate
Why are they afraid to use it
Nothing in that survey the govt cant mandate if they have to guts to do so
But alas the govt have perfected the art of blowing smoke well in the peoples face with an intent on this occasion to take the responsibilty and management off their hands
Now all know that with IMF policies will soon be smacking the govt in the face the survey monkey is a way out for govt to implement or discard govt entetprises without having to take blame
####::becausethepeoplesayso
@ac
Survey Money is free to use.
Now the democractic form of govt has now become a Govt by survey which in my opinion has the potential to formulated a system of goverence which might only look out for the interest of a few
A system which if left to flourish can upsurge the interst of the most vulnerable and those who did not participate in the survey
The questions on the survey have to do with goverence and not a one person opinion as to what is in one interest
I cant help but wonder how many of those questions would give the vulnerable a fair chance at roll call
Hope the DLP taking notes how to involve the electorate. They should know that the 30-0 result means they were not doing right in the eyes of the public.
Govt by survey is a dangerous form of goverence with a potential to lock out those who needs govt support the most
I envision those at the bottom end most likely to be hit the hardest by the survey
Job loses would be high on the list as most of those govt enterprises comprise of govt workers..
and programs that are sposonsered by govt would also be kick to the curb
In democracies govts are put in pace to look out for all the people
Those who participate in the survey are only given a synopsis of economic numbers of what it entails for govt to function but not. the social aspects that are necessary and which involves a balance between livelihoods and govt interaction
This survey monkey can lead to a dangerous trend of satisfying a few
Mariposa makes it so VERY clear why the DLP were such a bunch of losers and clowns…..
In this day and age ..who but a complete clown would say something like “I meaning barbadians gave the blp a mandate
Why are they afraid to use it…”
…to suggest that a new government should bulldoze its way into complex policies JUST BECAUSE the people finally came around to flushing the DLP shiite completely from their parliament…
It is BY FAR better to get consensus on a flawed policy…than to try to bulldoze even a sound idea – that is not supported by the various publics.
One CANNOT but give the BLP a good pass for the ATTITUDES that they have generally taken so far…
As Bushie have been saying over and over, The BLP’s problem is not related to competence or approach. it is that they have inherited a doomed ship of state – one with a large $15 Billion dollar hole punched into the hull.
The idiots and yardfowls who steered the ship into the danger zone could at least shut their donkeys – particularly the likes of their leaders such as Kellman, de Lashleys, Dumbville and Dr. Shiitehound (former pit-bull)….and their PR guru mariposa…
Give us a break do….
@ David
Can we not have a vote on banning ac and the other Bajan/UK moron from BU for a few weeks?
Shiite man…. after ridding ourselves of Froon and his goons by 30 -0, Bushie predicts a 20,000 to 3 result in favour of such a ban…
Hal may get a few extra votes …as the local fellow who robbed him and his wife of the deposit for the time share probably feels a bit of guild for having effectively taken candy from a ‘special needs’ baby.
@Bush Tea
You are too funny. You of all people know that what separates BU from the rest is that we welcome the dullards and the intelligent.
So in other words it can lead to a government like the dlp?
I like when a .s s hole like bush tea come out swinging. What consensus. This is not a survey about asking people how many numbers of people make up a household
This survey reminds me of a leaf out ofTrump political book with an outlook of knowning that only a few would participate and questions that are angled to give a desire outcome
I do not care what u bush tea say
The tea leaves say this is a dangerous way of goverence that gives the decision making to a few
There is no way that questions of this magnitude can be answered in a limited time without detailing all factors and all that is necessary to making a full and fair judgement to the whole of society
This is the most laughable sh.it i have ever encountered or seen in a democracy where issues that need parliamentary interactions by vigourous and robust debate is handed to people by way of a one minute monkey survey
The name fits snugly with this monkey govt
To make my point clear i know of people on social media who does not live on the island and are not barbadians who took the survey
How is that for good goverence.
@ac
Any opportunity for the public to offer feedback to government is good. It makes the public feel they are a part of the government which it is, the DLP should be taking notes. Try not to criticize for the sake of it. An approach that encourages participation will help to breed confidence in the system, it will be up to the government to deliver now.
Life is very funny. Fair is still fair. For three solid years, contributors and readers of this blog , had to endure a relentless amount of pure nonsense by some extremely uninformed apologists of the current and former regime. They did not offer one significant idea but chose to shamelessly regurgitate the sewage from Roebuck and George Streets. I read very long columns by one contributor, who disseminated a barrage of ;lies, innuendo and allegations , without a scintilla of proof. We endured the stupidity because according to the Blogmaster: If you don’t like um ,don’t read um
Now all of a sudden , we expect these bold faced political miscreants to be treated with the respect that they did not have for anybody. Like most Barbadians, I am prepared to give our new government a fair chance. However Mariposa has as much rights as the the clowns that we allowed to bombard the blog in the not too distant past with their particular brand of ignorance. They are so thin skinned , that they can barely take two months of what this blog endured for three years and they have the gall to want to silence people for doing exactly what they did.
These are the very hard facts: Barbados is making its third trip to the international loan sharks known as the IMF. The poor Black citizens , will feel the full brunt like they always do. The decadent and visionless political class will continue to look after the rich and powerful as they have done for the last fifty two years. The quasi government boards and so on will be filled by party lackeys as they have always been filled. The BLPDLP will continue the game of deception that they have mastered for sixty three years and we will be back heer in another ten or fifteen years with the same crap unless the citizens open their eyes.
Leave Mariposa alone this is till a democracy !!!!!!
@William
Do not spout nonsense. Who is preventing ac from commenting? She is free to do so but expect that she will evoke a response. In this case she is rubbishing the survey being circulated and others are saying how does it hurt. She was spouting nonsense about the swamp yesterday and commenters pointed to the error in her argument.
I am not crticizing for being critical
The issues on the survey cannot be answered through emotional or what a person perceives to be right or wrong for society
These are not the typical questions that require a yes or no answers
These questions are deep rooted in many factors that involves lives and households that need deep thought and plausible concerns
The voice of the people were heard at the polls on May 24th now it is time for this govt to settle down and shoulder the responsibility of goverence
A survey of this kind is insidious and one that on the surface satisfy a quizzal yearning for people to be involved however a false sense of involvement that cannot replace govt involvement with an interest to be a govt for all of the people
When ever the blp is criticized the comments are called rubbish
However often times in rubbish a nugget or two might be found
The concern of which i speak is one of good goverence
How in the world can a 96page monkey survey on issues that are hard and need differing and vocal input with an emphasis of appealing to individual well being can be concluded as given fair and conclusive judgement without all of society involved
I think the DLP should have a voice on BU seeing that they have no audience anyway.That the prize goat of The Mirror ignominy gives them encouragement is neither here nor there.After all only recently he averred that Swain shot the little black boy (whom he Swain, said he thought was a monkey) in the 1930’s.So far from the facts as recorded.Then there is the colossal loser candidate who wants to distress BU with his dismal message,unmoved or unmindful of the fact that garnering 149 votes in a constituency of 6000 registered voters and thereby losing his deposit,his reputation and his sputteringly stalled political ambitions,is thusly in no way qualified to opine on the quality of stewardship about to descend on Barbados in this year of our Lord 2018.
Wuh prices start to come dung uh ready.Gas down by 8 cents from mid nite tonite and every nite till furder notice.Tek dah and watch muh.
Wise are the councillors of the Sanhedrin when they reach out to the masses where the ideas are located and where repositories of pearls of wisdom might find a receptacle at the table.
@ Mariposa. Any government who involve the same electorate that gives them that “X” by asking them to be a part of of the governance of the country will come out successful. It is people at ground level that can give pertinent insights and realistic ideas.
On another note, the sale of the Hilton and BNOCL are just short term financing and the money will disappear and a shotage of FOREX will still be the problem. It is like selling your only car just to buy pretty car rims.
Well said William Skinner you tie your comment to the return of that ass Bush Tea. With the blog master as enabler putty man Bush wants to ban anyone with a dissenting view. He is the biggest brass bowl perhaps with one competitor. I’m looking at David BU.
Bush and David BU drowning in sweetness for now. The blog master never tires of his cutting reminder 30-0. He and the plasticine chap should bear in mind a week is a long time in politics.
The classic instance of quick change in politics is disgraced heavy roller Charles Herbert. Two months ago his cherished dream of bringing down the DLP in collusion with Mia Mottley and the unions was realized. He was on cloud nine. All of a sudden he faces hard time in prison with murderers and rapists for company. Its not funny its real.
The thing now start.
@waiting
Hard ears yuh wont hear?
On Mon, Aug 6, 2018 at 3:45 AM, Barbados Underground wrote:
>
It seems that common sense and intelligence are not allowed within the DLP and its yard….
Where did Bushie call to ban ac or Hal?
Bushie called for a vote – JA …
..mean ya cant even READ?
…and Bushie predicted THREE votes in their favour – basic inference being that one would be the bushman’s.
No wonder wunna ran the damn country into the ground – Ossie Moore style.
Simpleminded morons….
Enuff 5.50pm
Proof of what I have said about Googling. This idiocy is what passes in Barbados as intelligence. He is not the only one, my picture was even published alongside the article.
Bush yuh need to shut yuh RH mout fuh years you have been on some kind of drug induced high calling fuh people to get ban. Next to Mia you are a tin horn dictator
More and more everday barbados is shaping into a turd world banana republic dictatorship because of imbicles like you.
Goverance and Government run by Monkey Survey is the ultimate step of proff. L M A.ss off
Monkey goverence the tackiness form of governce i have ever seen
The reality being that the questions asked are complex and requires lot of fore thought and insight
@ac
The survey is just one aspect of the consultative process read bringing government to the people. You are correct the decision to rationalize will require a more complex thinking however governing is about style as well all intended to breath confidence back into a beaten people after 10 years of a DLP government.
https://www.facebook.com/gisbarbados/videos/1016449405186538/
Ross University’s relocating is an educational matter. Why is the prime minister hogging the limelight? Why not the minister of education? Did this have anything with do with the Chinese man, Mr Jong? Afterall, he has Bajan and Dominican connections.
Which spans investment. Who has responsibility for investment?
Aren’t Gov’ts elected to make difficult decisions? Seems to me governing by survey is a cop out given the high candle power around the Cabinet table. “Mr. Minister, can you tell me what Gov’t intends to do about X?” “We are waiting on the results of the survey so I’ll get back to you”
Find out which way the wind is blowing and move to the top of the procession….. works for some.
I am not trying to be rude, but I have suggested to the chairman that in moderating he should remain impartial, if he has any strong views he wants to express, it is one of the few times that anonymity could be justified.
Read the last two post from BU above. The guy has an inability to think rationally. The survey is art of the consultative process, a superficial notion that does not deserve a reply.
Then he shows his financial illiteracy: Who is responsible fore investment? The person responsible for investments in Barbados is David from BU. Remind me, plse, where did you go to school? Have you ever studied or worked in finance? Have you ever read a book on finance?
@Mariposa, the government is trawling for ideas because it has none. The easy bit was winning the general election.
The blogmaster will not waste anymore time on this except to confirm that the UK government no less uses surveys to canvass public feedback on many issues affecting government and wider society. To quote one website:
Medical/Economic TRIAGE!
An influx of medical universities? Is this a sign that Barbados is sick and getting worse cause we just admitted another medical university.
TRIAGE, implies we pick those that will may survive their wounds/aliments and those that will likey die.
I guess when we conclude and roll out the IMF programme its will be More TRIAGE.
Hal
All you needed to say was that the Nation inadvertently used your photo. Regarding Google use, all I will say is that Google Scholar is used by many conducting research. As for me being idiotic and unintelligent (I am not the braggodocious type but I know you have a penchant for rankings), my transcript* from one of the best universities (and faculties for my area of study) in the world begs to differ. But if you say I igrunt, well I am thou Oracle; but I understand that though Ross University is an educational facility, it is first and foremost foreign INVESTMENT, thus the presence of the PM, who is responsible for investment.
Not a certificate of participation.🤣🤣🖐🏾
David i have no problem with surveys but in these small island complex questions would attract the attention of mostly the intellects who most of the time is driven by a need of self interests
I would bet that many of the younger generation who frequented social network would have little interest in responding ..resulting in answers that would only satisfy a few mostly the higher end of society giving them a better advantage on how govt policies should be formulated..whilst inducing a high risk of shutting out the majority and mostly vulnerable who needs govt support. David this is not good goverence
Personnelly i think this is a dangerous trek along experimental high way called Peoples Involvement
This is a sharped edge sword which in the long run would result with the so called intellectual mostly influential having more political power and a country leaning comfortably close to dictatorship
####::######eyeswideopenforlackofvisionpeoplesuffer
David i have no problem with surveys but in these small island complex questions would attract the attention of mostly the intellects who most of the time is driven by a need of self interests
I would bet that many of the younger generation who frequented social network would have little interest in responding ..resulting in answers that would only satisfy a few mostly the higher end of society giving them a better advantage on how govt policies should be formulated..whilst inducing a high risk of shutting out the majority and mostly vulnerable who needs govt support. David this is not good goverence
Personnelly i think this is a dangerous trek along experimental high way called Peoples Involvement
This is a sharped edge sword which in the long run would result with the so called intellectual mostly influential having more political power and a country leaning comfortably close to dictatorship
####::######eyeswideopenforlackofvisionpeoplesuffer
@ac
Will reply to see if you appreciate the point second time around. The government is of the view that by using surveys, joint committee of parliament, timely updating of BGIS and party websites, ministers operating using a cross functional approach, it will all combine to change the ethos in the country as it relates to building trust between the people and government. There are benefits to be had if successful.
there is nothing wrong with using an on-line survey etc. Care just has to be taken to weed out the misused or abuse of the data collected as we all know that on-line survey data has a weakness in the area of verification etc
Another issue has to do with the conclusion(s )that are drawn from the data collected. we mus be always be aware that policy decisions may not be driven solely by the survey data collected. Some here may feel that the survey maybe be a “mechanism” to cloak decisions that has already been made on policy.
Amazing that people can be so simple minded and also so completely unaware of this – to the point where they continue to flaunt their stupidity… over and over…
In a modern world, the secret to success is to generate consensus among your various publics. Consensus is generated by communication (TWO WAY preferably – thus the surveys), by listening to alternative views, (thus the surveys), and by decisive action once consensus is arrived at.
NCOs who operate by taking orders may not appreciate this, but it is the reality of a modern world – where almost anyone can swing public opinion and support by using social media – for example…. that consensus is CRITICAL for success.
Cuhdear…
If the “bull-in-a-China-shop” approach of the DLP failed so miserably over the last decade…, who but a CLOWN would now criticise the BLP for taking a different approach…?
OH Wait…. Hal would…
The man was slow from school days – and likely even before….
David,
Investments are carried out by investors, not by government. Governments tax investments. In Keynesian terms, governments can stimulate the economy, but under our system we look to the private sector for investments. Stop Googling and think. Ministers can give themselves any title, even minister for the blue economy. Try scenario analysis rather than bluffing
Macroeconomic decisions are based on economics, financial markets (including consumers) and politics, a fusion that we are used to, with each sector having a decided role to play. Know this is how we differentiate between financial analysts and number crunchers.
I will end this lesson on a small note: since February the Barbados dollar (the Bajan) has risen by about 10 per cent. Given that since May 24 we have defaulted on our local and external debt, economic fundamentals say our currency should have depreciated because we are now insolvent. Yet, we have not had any press conferences, Mr Jong has not sent out any press releases, in Mandarin, Cantonese or English and our great press has not said a dickey bird.
Yet, one of our most promising senators (one with vast financial experience, according to the Nation, and great heritage according to the chairman of BU) said in parliament that he strongly defended the fixed exchange rate. This is the kind of nonsense that passes as serious economic debate in Barbados.
We recently had someone on BU talking about slavery being the foundation of modern capitalism; in other words, slavery was the foundations for all the forms of capitalism from the slave trade to the rise of mass production to the rise of internet capitalism. Apple is now valued at US$1trn. In elementary terms, according to this great scholar, the capitalism of the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries is the same as capitalism of the early 21st century. Plse think, use your brain.
If David, the chairman, had made these contributions about economics and finance anonymously, I would have ignored them. But as chairman he has influence, and gives weight to silly ideas. Again, government is not the source of financial investments to make the economy grow, but it creates the environment – regulatory and fiscal. Monetary policy is the responsibility of the central bank. Governments spend tax payers money.
What is wrong with you dude?
The prime minister has responsibility for facilitating investment.
#capiche?
@ Bush Tea August 6, 2018 10:17 AM
Quote ” NCOs who operate by taking orders may not appreciate this, but it is the reality of a modern world – where almost anyone can swing public opinion and support by using social media – for example…. that consensus is CRITICAL for success. ”
Unfortunately the above is true. This also points out that the “dummying down” of the masses has been rather successful.
A well planned and executed “social media” exercise will often get persons to vote/operate against their better long term interest.
The “herd mentality”(if everyone else is doing it it must be …) is often used to weaken institutions that protect use against future abuses/abusers. The “fake news” industry is fully alive well and kicking.
Isn’t it amazing that some knowitalls are so obtuse that they end up on the wrong side of commonsense? How many people do surveys reach? What percentage of them respond to surveys? If e.g. 10,000 people respond out of a potential 150,000 what does that say except that 10,000 people cared enough but the others didn’t or couldn’t be bothered. Do you declare consensus on the results of the majority of the 10,000 and act accordingly? At least if the Gov’t commissioned a Poll it could say there is scientific evidence to back its actions.
#flauntyourstupidity.
@Sargeant
You are correct in part, copies of the survey according to the BGIS notification is available in hard copy from all post offices on the island.
Nothing. Just surprised and disappointed at your folly. I just tried to explain and you come again stubbornly. Facilitating investment (ie creating the regulatory and fiscal environment) is not the same as responsibility for investing. Even you can understand the difference. And I am no a dude.
Why are you making a sound and dance about a meet and greet session with the Ross principal. Should Dominicans share your concerns because their PM held a national press conference to announce their decision to depart?
You may have the last word, DUDE!
People do not understand the dangerous mine fields that are already placed in those initiatives
It places a country democracy under a disadvantage that chips away at democratic idealogies and principles which sooner rather than later give the upperhand of policymakng to a ruling few
I am making a song and dance about appalling ignorance in this year, 2018. Your childish dudish behaviour says it all. Do it anonymously and I will ignore you. Do it as chairman of BU and I will condemn the nonsense.
Hahahaaa Hal you soon blow a gasket trying to convince the BU household that you’re an expert in finance and economics. At least the “promising senator” has lil papers in economics and development, including a stint at that school called London School of Economics (the types you like to use to disgrace UWI) and some work experience in the area. Apart from working for the “Poisoner-in-Chief” and other UK rags, please tell us what work experience/*substantive training you have in the areas of finance and economics? Or you just “google” bookstores?🤣🤣
Not certificates of attendance/participation.🤣🤣
@ August 6, 2018 10:45 AM
David,
I don’t know why Hal Austin is being so hard on you; but i think i see what he is saying.
You have technically have two roles/personas . David the private citizen that can say whatever you like about anyone u like for as long as you like.
Then u have the persona a BU Chairperson. Unfortunately in Hal’s opinion you don’t have such freedoms.
I guess a high court judge is in a similar position. He can write a damming report/editorial as an anonymous contributor to any newspaper. However he/she dare not do the same in his/her official role as High court judge.
I can see where he is coming from. U may not concur.
sirFuzzy
It is a blog. Relax.
How many people do surveys reach? What percentage of them respond to surveys?
+++++++++++++++++++++++
I think the reason there is a survey is so it can be said that although the 41,000 were denied a voice in Parliament look what the BLP did, it still gave them an opportunity to speak!!
@ John August 6, 2018 11:19 AM
If what u said turns out to be true. Then we really need to seriously rethink/calibrate this experiment we calling “democracy”.
If i didn’t vote for the party that makes up the Govt.; the MP is still my representative just not my preferred representative. Maybe these MPs think that if you didn’t vote for me i don’t have the responsibility of representing you? The epitome of partisanship and not democracy?
Enuff,
I would normally ignore your silliness. But fabricating stories is not the done thing. I have never claimed to be an expert on finance or economics. In fact, for the umpteenth time, I did not go to school. I am a dunce. I just like discussing ideas.
The most important free market in Barbados and Barbadians is the free market of ideas. A difference of opinion should not be a capital offence – as it appears to be in Barbados. If you want to soberly discuss ideas, I am your man.
By the way, CLR James did not go to university or have impressive CVs, (including MAs in something called Political Sociology), nor did Professor Richard Titmus and numerous others, including Andre Malraux..
If yo do not behave yourself I will get David (BU) to give you lessons in reason. Dude.
Respect my confidentiality – Thanks. Keep a close tab on new Universities arriving on your Island. Elton influences his niece. He wants to increase the number of universities to about 12. Codrington College and Erdiston are spoken for. Michael Clarke is on board to have this in his legacy. (Anglican Synod dilemma). Both Elliott and Elton (Elombe) have reached out for my input. I am associated with many U.S. and U.K. tertiary levels of education. U of N. Carolina, Utah, McGill, U of T. and Dalhousie, Nova Scotia, Canada. Haynes Darlington.
This story is all over the internet, is it fake news?
https://www.justice.gov/usao-edny/pr/former-member-barbados-parliament-and-minister-industry-indicted-money-laundering
ICB is involved.