As I enter my 53rd Year in tourism it’s perhaps time to reflect on some of the very many experiences and opportunities this incredible industry has brought to me.
Having spent a prolonged period as a child in hospital being treated for what, at that time, was a disease with a 50% mortality survival rate, the seemingly endless days were abridged with second hand copies of National Geographic magazines. Even in the late nineteen fifties the journals photography was outstanding and it was those images which drove my relentless interest in travel.
My first ‘voyage’ of discovery was at the age of 16 years hitch-hiking from England to Istanbul in Turkey.
I vividly recall seeing Paris for the first time and trying to comprehend how a city, so close to London, could be so strikingly different. Paris would later become the most popular destination for our tour operation company and I would re-visit literally hundreds of times, without for a single second, losing any of its magical appeal.
Soon after, I travelled to Canada and whilst maintaining two jobs, one at McDonalds and another as a waiter at the Lock, Stock and Barrel, it allowed me to volunteer my services to a local travel agency to acquire the necessary skills to make a living within the industry.
Whilst still in the travel industry I replied to an advertisement in the British Sunday Times placed by a Swiss based company, Globus Gateway. They invited me to an interview which took place in a nondescript third floor office in Oxford street in Londons West end. At the time I felt the interview went badly for me and I returned to Canada. Days later an invitation arrived to join a training tour taking in as many European countries as there is in a week.
Looking back it is now easy to understand that this training tour was for me, and the other 20 plus hopefuls, an endurance test for physical and mental ability.
Once again, so doubtful that I had secured the job as a Tour Director I returned to Winnipeg. To my absolute astonishment about a week later a telex arrived in my office on Portage Avenue instructing me to collect all relevant documentation to guide T628. The ‘T’ indicated the type of European tour and the ‘628’ the date it started – 28th June.
Fortunately, the 36 Americans booked on T628 arrived at Heathrow and spent the first two nights in London, a city that I had an intimate knowledge of. But, that was just the beginning. T628 turned out to be the longest tour operated by the company – 47 days duration, taking in 16 sovereign countries, 4 of which I had never visited before! 3 days later later I and the group flew to Madrid to begin the Continental European portion. In broken Spanish I introduced myself to the main motor coach driver and sheepishly asked Manuel if he knew Europe well. His response was that he lived in Madrid and occasionally visited Barcelona. He had never been outside of Spain whilst driving a coach….
The adventure began and despite all the associated challenges, I managed to complete the tour almost seven weeks later.
I would always be grateful to Globus for giving me an incredible opportunity and if there is any recognisable moral to this weeks column it is the travel and tourism industry provides an unparalleled platform to advance a career anywhere in the world.
The days of the well-heeled tourist in Barbados are long gone, and the advent of the tattooed, drunken, drug addicted yob has overtaken all.
A huge tactical error in my opinion as tha norms of these gormless barrel scrapings have been thoroughly inculcated into what was the jewel in the crown of our rock – the people.
You went to Antigua for rudeness and aggression, Guadeloupe for civilisation, Dominica for spectacular scenery and the old world charm of the Fort Young. Barbados was simply the envy of all.
Tell us Adrian, how often have you cinsideyghat swimming against the tides of corrupt, greed and indifference have test you commitment to our failing state?
?????? blather only has a 50% survival rate… weird.
David, is there any reason that an edit feature cannot be offered like almost any other comment board? It should only be open for a limited time, but what with Apple’s dad-blasted predictive text feature which is far from foolproof, and big fingers, sometimes you end up with gibberish, as in my post above.
If you can do a reply button, it doesn’t seem difficult to have an edit button.
@45govt
The predictive text is a feature on your device, go to your settings.
Our own conclusions are the best editor. They blank out all future contributions automatically.
That is no answer at all. I KNOW that, but sometimes when you select your choice of word, it fails to register.
Now, let me ask again.
It is a civil and simple question – is there any reason that an edit feature cannot be offered?
To repeat, predictive text is a setting on your device. WordPress does not offer an edit feature for commenters.
“Are they no Bajans that can manage a hotel efficiently……..they had to bring a man from Germany.” [David Hunte, Calypsonian]
Is government ever going to consider limiting the number of work permits they approve for hotels, especially Sandy Lane?
Recently, Sandy Lane advertised vacancies for a Resident Manager and a Director of Human Resources. As is the norm when it comes to jobs of this calibre, if you read pages 3 and 5 of today’s Mid-week Nation…….
…………the hotel has “conveniently” not received any suitable applications for the positions advertised, and indicated their “intention to submit an application for work permits for non-nationals to fill these positions.”
These hotel owners beg for all types of incentives and tax concessions that are granted off the backs of Barbadian tax payers, who they seem to believe are ONLY qualified for employment as housekeepers, maintenance, bellman, gardeners or pool & beach attendants.
Government needs to send a strong message to the owners of these hotels.
Ok, your last sentence is the answer. Simple, no?
If you share the type of device you have we will help you to change the settings, don’t be shy to ask for assistance.
…..autocorrect will ALWAYS make you miserable…regardless.
I fight with that damn thing on a daily basis, it seems deliberate sometimes.
I have an iPhone, and I DO know how to work it thanks David!
@45govt
Go to Settings> then General> turn off Auto-Correction.
“Government needs to send a strong message to the owners of these hotels.”
same cry now for decades, never going to happen as long as they are paying government ministers bribes..
Artax
Well said. I am in yuh corner with that one.
Govts past and present seem unwilling to address this nagging issue of abuse of work permits for expats.
We are told that they are supposed to have an understudy to take over a period of time – but that seems never to be the case.
I can understand having a few key positions from their overseas staff e.g. Financial Controller,Managing Director – but goodness gracious man a H.R. Manager or baby sitter ? Steupse.
I believe in the 21st Century the Tourism sector can be reasonably described as a Mature Sector and we should not continually be holding their hands and spoon feeding them with Concessions after Concessions – and we the taxpayers can’t see a reasonable return – not enough in the retention of foreign exchange – because most of that foreign exchange is kept in their overseas account.
This is a case where the tail wags the dog.
Can we say no to these billionaires who own Sandy Layne?
#royalshop
Dear God in Heaven David, are you thick? I have told you twice I F’ING KNOW HOW TO WORK MY PHONE. I have ignored your pathetic attempt to belittle me, while refusing to answer a simple question, but pull yourself together man, and grow up.
PS it is Sandy LANE.
Do you make the change 45govt?
Oops, forgive the predictive text!
@David
Can we say no to these billionaires who own Sandy Layne?
+++++++++++
In a word “Yes”
Why do we allow these businesses to operate in a world that put Bajans at a disadvantage?
Are we only good enough to cut hedges and mop floors?
How long has Barbados been in the hospitality business? It never ceases to amaze me how these people get away with the nonsense that they can’t find a “suitable” applicant to fill a particular job and successive Gov’t allow them to get away with this shite.
This “punching” thing has got to stop, we are punch drunk, anymore and we will be comatose.
@Sargeant
We have structured the economy, successive governments, to depend on tourism.
Until we come up with alternatives to add to gdp we will continue to prostitue ourselves.
Price of gas and diesel significantly reduced at the pump from today.
BARBADOS
” Gasoline will be adjusted from BDS $3.71 per litre to BDS $3.60 per litre, a reduction of 0.11 cents. ”
Gasoline in Ontario is about BDS $1.50 per litre.
There has to be a way to reduce the price of gasoline in Barbados.
@Hants
It appears our problem is lack of storage to buy in sufficient volume.
So we have been told anyways.
@hants,
Gasoline at two gas stations across the highway from me is .94 and 96.4 cents per litre. You should change your car so you don’t have to buy premium. lol.
David January 7, 2019 3:37 PM
Lack of storage? But didnt we build the storage facility relatively recently to fix that said issue?
@sirfuzzy
Can only share what the Chairman of BNTCL was quoted in the news a few weeks ago
The lack of storage translates to not being able to optimize on future contracts. This is the blogmastyer’s best guess.
Hants January 7, 2019 3:19 PM
BARBADOS
” Gasoline will be adjusted from BDS $3.71 per litre to BDS $3.60 per litre, a reduction of 0.11 cents. ”
Gasoline in Ontario is about BDS $1.50 per litre.
There has to be a way to reduce the price of gasoline in Barbados.
That is why i would love to see the formula tha ti sbeing used to determie the price we pay. That should answer many pof hr questions out there.
@ Hants
Different costs structure .No economies of scale. Different tax incidence. Add the costs and means of distribution…. shipping versus pipe line. These minor costs do contribute to a higher price than Canada.
@ Vincent,
you may find this interesting.
Some Canadians complain too,
https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/if-canada-has-so-much-oil-why-is-our-gasoline-so-expensive
maybe with the coming electrification of the transport sector, the need to store more fossil fuel will diminish. In a few years time that storage we have may be just correct for the island.
Has any heard of peak ICE. Never heard it until yesterday on a youtube video. Apparently Peak ICE(internal combustion engine) was 2018. 2018 was the year that the total number of “new” ICE reaches its maximum. production Going forward new ICEs will start to fall as EMV(electric motor vehicles) start their upward ascent. Exciting times and maybe an inflection point in the transport sector at least in the OECD and china
@Adrian,
Has any Barbadian government or organisation ever tried to draw on your obvious expertise?
Hal, my LinkedIn entry will give you some idea. But simply YES, I have contributed to successive Governments, Ministers, Barbados Tourism Authority, BTMI, BTPA, BHTA, TDC etc., consistently over the last 30 years. All contributions that I have made have been free of charge on my behalf entirely at my cost.
@ Adrian,
That is great. Although your services are free they must still recognise your contribution.
45 govt,
What is “f’ing?”
“I can understand having a few key positions from their overseas staff e.g. Financial Controller, Managing Director……”
T. Inniss
Are you serious????
There is a CGA qualified accountant who has been working in the accounts department of The Fairmont Royal Pavilion for over 20 years and each time a Financial Controller resigns or is “forced” to resign, she is asked to act in the position.
Recently, the Financial Controller at that hotel “resigned,” and management advertised for the post of “Director, Finance & Business Support,” which is basically a Financial Controller by another name…..as is evidenced by the duties outlined in the vacancy notice.
Why is it that, with over 20 years’ experience, this lady is only suitable to ACT as Financial Controller…….but is UNSUITABLE to be appointed to the position?
I also recall Sandy Lane employed a Puerto Rican in its maintenance department who was working without a work permit. When the hotel finally advertised the position, one of the requirements was that the candidate must be fluent in Spanish.
A few years ago another hotel advertised for a Executive Chef/Trainer who, in addition to a chef qualification, must possess a degree in computer science and be a qualified teacher. Obviously, they did not receive any suitable applications and indicated their intention to apply for a work permit to recruit a non-national.
A qualified chef, who was a former teacher and possessed a degree in computer science, applied for the position and after reading work permit notice, he went to the press with his qualifications to challenge the hotel.
These hotels advertise positions with all types of fancy names and unnecessary qualifications to deter Barbadians from applying or to give them an excuse to recruit a non-national.
Artax
Don’t you think the Senior Immigration Officers,the Ministers of Labour and their Senior Personnel and the various Prime Ministers going back 30 – 40 years are aware of the scheme that is taking place in plain sight ?
So why is there no will to deal with this issue ?
Is it that the arrows are pointing back to kickbacks and Campaign Financing.
Woe is we my friend.
There is an online petition to organize a March against Gun Violence . The frequent shootings will hurt tourism if it hasn’t done so already. The march is to send messages of zero tolerance to criminals using firearms and to government to bring perpetrators to justice. Where is Caswell, Hammie La, Bush Tea, the blog master and community leaders including Loveridge and the BU family who should be at the forefront arranging the march. You all claim you look after the people’s interest. There is great fear in the community and the community must act in unity to take back their neighborhoods from murderers, gunmen and thugs.
A protest against lawless gunmen should have nothing to do with the safety of tourists, but primarily with the safety of ordinary Barbadians in their communities. By definition, if people are safe in their communities the tourists will be safe. We must get our priorities right.
@HA
as a former journalist, your opinion on the headline versus the content of the following
http://www.nationnews.com/nationnews/news/231274/gel-selling-shares-sagicor
Donks
“The frequent shootings will hurt tourism, if it has done so already”
If our concerned is merely for tourism with respective to this senseless gun violence, and not for some innocent boy or girl caught in the crossfire on his/her way to school, then we can’t be in the right frame of mind.
Mexico for example, is by far one of the most dangerous places in the world to vacation today, because one does not know if he or she will make back home after vacationing there, and yet thousands of Americans still vacation in Mexico annually.
Jamaica is another example of these senseless acts of gun violence, and yet the Jamaican tourism enterprise is Booming…
What march what! What is causing the crime? That is what we need to determine and solve.
And here we are back at the door of corruption and how it diverts funds that could be used to develop the country and provide opportunities for ordinary Bajans.
PS. We need to reduce crime for the safety of Bajans first.
@ Northern Observer
It tells me GEL is in need of cash. The question is why?
No wonder this blog has a mere dozen regulars and zero impact on social media or the real word. We mentioned tourism because it was a matter of interest under tourism guru Loveridge column. The gist of the posit was locals retaking their communities from murderers, gunmen and thugs. Only a blithering idiot doesn’t know if a society isn’t safe for the people who live in the society it wont be safe for foreigners who visit the society. Home drums always beat first. We should all march in a demonstration to make the gunmen and the government pay attention.
@Hal Austin
GEL is withdrawing from the insurance business as a long term strategic move. This makes sense as the risk profile of general insurance is adversely affected by climate change. Goddards is already exposed to hightened climate change risk because their catering & ground services division depends on the growth of airline traffic and their automotive division sells no electric vehicles and is getting their lunch eaten by Megapower Inc.
Their balance sheet shows $436 million in retained earnings as well as $66 million of liquid cash in the bank, so I don’t think they are particularly in need of cash at the moment.
@Peter
You are smoking. The GEL model must change if it is to sustain itself.
BTW, since when is the foreign exchange reserves referred to in Barbados dollars?
One BILLION makes a point?
@PLT,
Are you privy to inside information or are you privy to the operation of their collective minds?
Since when is the foreign exchange reserves referred to in dollars and not weeks coverage
Since when is the foreign exchange reserves referred to in bajan dollars
Since when is the foreign exchange reserves not referred to in U.S Dollars
The answer my friend is pure and simple HYPE – as is the norm with this Mottley government
To refer to the reserves in weeks will show that though there is an increase – it is not extraordinary
To refer to the reserves in bajan dollars – will make the amount seem larger – than if you use the U.S. exchange rate.
You listen to that JA Stetson Babb – ONE !!!!!! BILLION !!!!! DOLLARS !!!!
Ah boy – VOB – VOB – VOB -One day coming soon the people will wake up !!!
All this complements of Jong and Mottley – the prescription – treat them like children – since they will not see through this shite..
All this is borrowed money from the IMF – and not earned money through exports or new Foreign investment.
@T.Inniss
Like it or not communications is an important part of the apparatus to infuse confidence in the people. That said we need to see forward progress on the many challenges facing the country.
But David this info is infusing false hope or confidence.
It is expected that if you borrow money to prop up the foreign reserves – then there will be an increase.
Why shout to the rooftops every time you get a draw – down or some more borrowed funds ?
I don’t recall Sandie or Tom doing this.
Owen however borrowed money quietly to prop up the reserves and at the time the majority of the population wasn’t even aware.
This is not communications – this is propaganda – dressed up to look like news.
@HA
I was referring to the terminology of “selling shares in Sagicor” versus selling its ownership in Sagicor General Insurance, the latter being a subsidiary of the former.
@PLT
seems GEL still owns an Insurance operation in St.Lucia they call M+C
@ T. Inniss
I am at a lost as to the quality or interest of local economists. Over 2018, the greenback rose by about seven per cent against a basket of currencies; in other words, the Bajan has risen over the last year by seven per cent. How will this impact on BERT? So, if the greenback is overvalued, then the Bajan is also over-valued on key benchmarks.
Most experts predict that the global economy will at best slow down during 2019, or at worst go in to a deep recession. Her is a good example of the shift in the global economy. In 1980, per capita GDP in the US was 40 times that of China’s. In 2018, it was only 3.4 times. What does this mean in the medium and long term?
Are we going to get a proper objective analysis of BERT? Either that, or we continue to shout and scream and use vulgar language instead of reason and common sense.
@ Northern Observer,
As I said, what appears to be a fire sale of shares suggest a need for cash; it also suggests a difference in outlook for the company with its partners. There is a gap here in our knowledge and it seems as if stock market rules do not compel GEL to explain to shareholders and the market the reasons for its decision.
My mind tells me that there is a question to be asked about the impact of the Charles Herbert affair on GEL. Have clients been asking questions? Our media should be drilling this down.
@Blogmaster
I agree the current GEL model has some gaps. They have mass in catering. All else is a one, two or three outlet type of operation. And the newer investments, Bio in canada, Oilfield services in Guyana, and Cocoa in S.American are not yet producing significant returns. They lack mass. You cannot be successful in Building products distribution without connected mass. You can’t get the brands nor the prices.
Compare to the larger K Simpson model, they only play in a few areas, but have significant mass in those areas.
@Northern Observer
Is it a case of GEL management signaling that it is about to shed the ‘family’ culture which brought it this far?
The blogmaster expects to see aggressive rationalization of the business in the weeks ahead. From the outside it appears it has been a struggle for the Board of management up to now.
@HA
Sagicor General went through a few rough years. I saw last year that their top man, ??? Alleyne (the late Stephen’s older brother) was now elsewhere. So an exit from the general insurance business would seem fair. Hurricanes are an insurance killer? Plus the family member who was the ‘insurance guy’ has long since retired. Last year they got out of rum, and that would appear to be a case of an inability to sell profitably, as they had massive volume available via WIRR and National Rums in Jamaica.
Further since price is not discussed, hard to know if it is a fire sale or not. I note GEL owned NO GoB debt, but the report said that Debt Restructuring had affected Sagicor General Insurance.
@Northern Observer
Surely a hit in the investment revenue item will negatively impact given the marginal returns on premium income reflected on the P&L?
@ Northern Observer,
I do not agree with your assessments, about Sagicor or GEL. There are questions to be asked about Sagicor, such as the quality of its management, but that would not impact on the business model of GEL unless there are things that have not been made public. Stock market rules should reduce this asymmetry of information. More important, was this sale cleared with the regulator? What was the regulator told? Is the regulator going to make a statement?
About the high cost of general insurance, if you can’ stand the heat.
@Blogmaster
To my eyes, the so called ‘family culture’ was shed many years ago. Post 2005, GEL had zero family in employment (so I am told) and ONE on the Board.
Dismantling the distribution dinosaur it had become took time. And that is still the bulk of its business in the neighbouring islands.
I have no idea of next steps, other than they have two Americans nominated as new Board members, and their specialty, commercial real estate, is not a game GEL is known to play.
The referyto family culture was not about family members but the type of decisions.
@HA
in the overall scope, the general insurance business is a drop in both the buckets of GEL and Sagicor. IF the company, Sagicor General, remains intact, why should anybody care if GEL, or any other group is a minority shareholder?
You leave me to ask ‘what is a family culture type of decision?”
@Northern Observer
Not wanting to retrench people.
@ Northern Observer,
The people who should care are the policyholders.
@HA
you must know that policyholders exited with demutualization and became shareholders. And why should Sagicor shareholders care if they now own 100% of a subsidiary or 55%. Both are majorities.
@Northern Observer,
The clients of an insurance company are called policyholders ie homeowners, vehicle owners, etc.. Policyholders in a mutual are also the owners of the enterprise. Shareholders own commercial companies – listed or unlisted.
@HA
sorry you are correct, not a term I hear frequently in N.America, but I know it is common in Barbados.
@Hal Austin January 11, 2019 12:43 PM
“Are you privy to inside information …?”
++++++++++++++
GEL is a public company so their 2018 Annual Report with audited financials is public info.
@David January 11, 2019 12:32 PM
“You are smoking.”
++++++++++
The question is, however, WHAT am I smoking?
@PLT,
Are you saying yes or no? Or are you saying the audited reports contain all the necessary information?
@Hal Austin,
The Audited reports contain the vast majority of the necessary information. GEL has established a pattern of shedding components in the financial services sector. The rest is common sense, plus noticing that Sagicor General Insurance lost over $18 million in 2017 and knowing that 2018 will not be any better given last hurricane season.
@Hal Austin
I have not had any conversations about about GEL with persons on their board with whom I am acquainted.
@PLT
Stop talking nonsense. Do you have insider information or are you saying all the necessary information is contained in the audited financial reports? It is s yes or no answer. Cut out the waffle. If you do not know, then admit you do not know.
@Hal Austin,
I thought I had been clear. No, I have no insider information of any sort. All that is required to reach my conclusions is from public sources like the audited financial reports of public companies.
@PLT,
You do not have any inside information on GEL, nor do I. Cut out the waffle. You have no particular knowledge of financial economics or business. As far as I know, from you, you attended three lectures on economics and now work with an NGO.
For your information audited reports can be, and are, very deceptive. There are now three official reports on auditors taking place in the UK; have a look at the audited reports of Enron WorldCom, Krispy Kreme, and numerous others. Remember Madoff?
Stop professing a knowledge you do not have.
@Hal Austin
I have an MBA and decades of experience investing in public companies. It’s not hard to learn how to read financial reports… you should learn. Reality will prove me correct about GEL with 24 months.
^within 24 months.
@PLT,
I rest my case. Which business school? I though the 2008 global financial crisis had put paid to MBAs. Reality cannot rove you right or wrong. You have no inside information, nor do I. We are both speculating, so if the dice falls your way it does not mean you are right. It simply means you are lucky. I do not gamble.
Whatever Hal… in that case I just predict that reality will prove me lucky.
Do we reread our remarks after posting and realize the earth shattering ‘revelations’ we expose… of our pompesetting!
@Hal your remark can be defined as “DUH…you dont say”: “For your information audited reports can be, and are, very deceptive.”
Don’t hundreds of analysts, financial journalists and other professionals on corporate boards, retirement fund advisory committees etc etc pour over company financial statements daily and make momentous decisions about which company stock to invest!
Good heavens isn’t an ENTIRE industry centered around these same statements…how does the malfeasance of Enron or CLICO negate the analysis @PLT offered based on a review of publicly available data!
@Hal sometimes your desire to fire off broadsides really too often propels you to make absolutely outlandish remarks…SMH….this the SAME man who ridicules Bajans of having a culturally malaise of know-it-all arrogance.
No wonder your detractors here get after you as they do!
@PLT did no less than what anyone attempting to decide on GEL’s finances would have done…as you said he may be right and he may be wrong…and BTW lots of MBAs and non-MBAs called the stock crash right…so what’s your point that many MBAs called it wrong!
Lots of doctors kill people from egregious mistakes… so what…does that mean no MD is capable…. a stupid anology right!….yep I think so too..like your beef with @PLT… it makes not a jot of practical sense… Not many succesful analysts have INSIDE info…in FACT somewhere in the rules of the financial world “insider info trading” is ILLEGAL!
No wonder, indeed!
Dear Donks an’ Gripe,
So sorry if my post offended you. I thought you understood that we would have differing opinions and being Bajans would argue in a Bajan way. When I first came I was informed that BU is a rum shop and I should therefore thicken my skin. May I suggest that you do likewise? I believe being here has done wonders for me in that regard.
Hal Austin seems to believe he is the most intelligent man among fools on BU.
There isn’t anyone he does not challenge to prove he is ALWAYS correct, calling people silly, appallingly ignorant or they lesrn by rote and what they write drivel or waffle.
Hal Perfect.
That is his level of debating.
“There isn’t anyone he does not challenge to prove he is ALWAYS correct, calling people silly, appallingly ignorant or they lesrn by rote and what they write drivel or waffle.”
For what it matters, I think Haha is on the A team, but you hAve described him well.
Artax is also on the A team and has gotten his A game back…
@Blogmaster
they seem to have been shuffling (no pun intended) people rather than retrenching. The key to the Barbadian economy, is they still are based and pay taxes in Barbados.
While we await the full gambit of associated policies associated with the new corporate tax structure, this may allow for other policies to pressure the fleeing corporations back to home soil. There is now less benefit to incorporating in St.Lucia? It is open season on the decisions taken by both sides in the equation.
@Northern Observer
Is it only about paying taxes because of where domiciled and or waning business model.
https://barbadostoday.bb/2019/01/11/easy-passage/
***”This morning, Forde was on hand as a group of concerned residents, using a bobcat and shovels, removed a pile of marl that had been placed there by an unknown person, to block the Vaucluse, St Thomas road. Some of the marl was used to fill potholes on that same road while private vehicles took the majority away.”
“According to Forde who complained about the blocked road in Barbados TODAY’s January 7 edition, the move by the residents is a breath of fresh air, and a stern warning to whoever was responsible for blocking the public road that “you cannot just do what you please”.***
This is a very positive story. I believe in the rule of law, but at times citizens may have to take it in their own hand and correct wrongs when they happen.
It is good that Minister Forde still have clarity of vision and can differentiate between what is right and wrong. Having the Minister right there gave some legal protection to the citizens, but there will be times when private citizens (on their own) will have to remove things when they are put down or being put down and to prevent the removal of things that are already in place (e.g water tanks).
It seems as if we are moving past the point of just waiting on others.
Good show Minister Forde.
the two are related?
Barbados has suffered from an exodus of corporate tax payers both via merger/acquisition and by tax planning consequences.
It is not alone. This new corporate tax regimen opens the door to a wide range of other policies which can redefine the entire concept of taxation as we know it today. Every problem is an opportunity?
How does the expectation and policy help with the sovereign credit rating? The large companies have such on their radar as well?
Copied from the comments of BarbadosToday
“I now plea to MP for St. Thomas Ms.Cynthia Forde asking you to assist the MP for St. James Central in getting a solution, and remedy for a dangerous situation at Clarkes Rd, St. James.”
I have commiserated with you and have often gently hinted at a possible solution.
If after 15 years, it has not dawn on you that pleading to the authorities is an exercise in folly then you will be here pleading in 2023.
Already, I saw that one of your supporters was no longer as energized with this cause now that there is a new party in power. Funny how our enthusiasm flickers and wane in 5-year cycles.
Rather than hijack this post. Now would be a good time for watchman, Alden Blackman or others to restate their cause.
ratings affects some more than others. yet if the true flight is to a safer currency, ratings become more of an excuse than a reason. innovative policy can increase revenue = better fiscal, this contributes to improved ratings. many of these factors are inter connected.
Thatâs for the 101 Northern Observer, it seems to be one of those chicken and egg positions. Your point is taken that it affects some more than others.
off to Ocean el faro punta cana let you know how it compares
There is an opportunity to radically change approach. I think so at least. Barbados for several reasons, has over time seen large portions of its corporate tax base eroded. The personal tax model is now ‘out of line’ with the corporate? The world of ‘tax treaties’ has been changing. Global accounting regulations have seen many changes.
Regional leaders have fumbled with regional bodies, seemingly with marginal benefit, and still lacking direction and focus after many years.
Methinks the opportunity to look at alternative directions/associations, and an overall approach to where and how the island of Barbados is to operate, needs close examination. When you are down, you have much less to lose via any radical change, and much more to gain.