Perhaps there has never been such an important time in our history to support local small businesses, whether in tourism or any other sector. And regardless of those in the private or public sector, we all have a responsibility, whenever practical and feasible, to follow this objective.
That is why I was so surprised, when yet again, while watching a recent Government convened media conference, which included politicians and public servants at the highest level, together with senior business leaders in the tourism sector, sitting at a head table with bottles of imported Florida water placed in front of them. Especially when you consider, even after a cursory search, we found more than three companies producing local water alternatives.
In our personal experience, at least one of them offered highly competitive prices when comparing with imported options.
It seems incomprehensible that an individual or department within the administration has not been charged with the responsibility of sourcing, negotiating and purchasing for Government, as many locally produced products as possible, providing of course, that they not overly costly to the taxpayer?
Our policymakers must surely understand that economic recovery will largely rest on our many small businesses survival and hopefully future growth? Not just in terms of generating employment, but partially relieving the liability of the National Insurance Scheme (NIS), while at the same time creating additional overall tax contributions for Government coffers, reducing foreign imports and FX currency requirements.
Assuming that Government can be persuaded to support local small businesses in a greater degree, perhaps it is also time to resurrect some version of the Buy Bajan promotion that took place years ago, targeted towards the general buying public?
Surely, this is the best way to ensure that as many of our small businesses survive during the current exceptional circumstances and allowing them to slowly re-build for the future?
Of course it would take all those involved in the distribution and point of sale process with the support of financial institutions, media houses offering creative marketing solutions and hopefully the applicable Government Ministry and trade associations playing their part.
And if we need exceptional examples to follow and glean ideas from, there are many impressive models out there. Particularly inspiring is a website Discover Delicious (https://discoverdelicious.wales) whose mission statement boasts ‘Shop delicious, Welsh food, drink and foodie experiences from independent producers and explore the largest collection of Welsh food and drink online – Stay Safe – Shop Local – Support Small’.
Ahh yes Adrian, we are completely on the same page this week.
Having foreign bottle water on the table confirmed the lack of commitment by decision makers to walking a different path.
Florida water! Oh dear me! Didn’t know we had that here!
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That is why I was so surprised, when yet again, while watching a recent Government convened media conference, which included politicians and public servants at the highest level, together with senior business leaders in the tourism sector, sitting at a head table with bottles of imported Florida water placed in front of them. Especially when you consider, even after a cursory search, we found more than three companies producing local water alternatives. (Unquote).
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Dear Mr. Blogmaster, is Adrian also ‘throwing shade’ on the Bajan policy movers and shakers?
Isn’t it true that what Adrian is highlighting, currently, has been the bane of the miller for years?
How can a country- which does not draw its ‘drinking’ water from a sewerage system- borrow so much money from the IMF to import stale pipe water in plastic bottles?
What’s so dangerously wrong with the local water even if sourced from Bath or Pot House or Spring Vale or even Spring Garden?
But then again, what do you expect from a country which delights in importing coconut water and tamarinds from South East Asian countries where the name Barbados conjures up nothing else but a small parish in the Land where Bob Marley was born.
These Bajan people in leadership positions are simply not ready to meet the monumental challenges which both Covid and the IMF have strewn in their footpath to survival.
@Miller
You seem to have a problem with constructive criticism compared to a cabal whose objective every single day is to highlight the negative that unravels in Barbados.
Well at least the water is not coming from Flint, Michigan!
Will Adrian’s message resonate with our leaders? I doubt it.
“which included politicians and public servants at the highest level, together with senior business leaders in the tourism sector, sitting at a head table with bottles of imported Florida water placed in front of them.”
Who purchased the bottled water ? Who placed the water in front of those attending the ” head table ” ?
Home / Local News / BARJAM says no to interference
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BARJAM says no to interference – by Kobie Broomes November 30, 2020
The Barbados Association of Journalists and Media Workers (BARJAM) has issued a stern warning to Prime Minister Mia Mottley and other Government officials not to try to dictate news coverage.
BARJAM President Emmanuel Joseph cautioned Mottley about her recent suggestions that the media should not carry the dissenting voice of the opposition.
He made the comments while addressing the awards ceremony for media workers on Sunday night at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre.
Joseph said, “It is a dangerous, unwise and counter-productive road to take in this 21st century. The recent notion by our Prime Minister that the news media should shut out the voice of Opposition Senator Caswell Franklyn for whatever reason (once he is not outside of the law) goes against the highest law in the land – the Constitution.”
In a stern tone, Joseph said, “BARJAM has no confidence in any suggestion that would like to take us back to the dark days when dissent against the establishment or ruling classes was tantamount to a crime and was met with the most vicious push back that at times ended in death for the dissenter.”
The veteran journalist underscored that the Constitution not only guarantees freedom of speech but also provides for the Office of Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition, hence dissent, alternate voice, opinions, positions are sanctioned by the Constitution.
“The media cannot, therefore, be part of any suggestion by the Prime Minister, Opposition Leader, trade union leaders, business leaders, church leaders, civil society leaders or even the ordinary man in the street to usurp its role as the eyes, the ears and the voice of the people. For the media to embark on a censorship drive to facilitate some voices and silence others – while it may be politically or economically expedient for some – it stinks,” he stressed.
There is talk resurfacing about creating a nudist space/colony in Barbados to diversify the tourism product.
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The integrity of the press is based on journalists keeping a safe distance from the centres of power, that includes rejecting awards and volunteering to take part in party political events.
There is an old saying: when the journalist becomes the story, then there is a problem. Journalists should be seen, but not heard.