Since Adam was a lad talking heads in Barbados have lamented the lack of cooperation, planning and collaboration between various players in the sectors to GROW strong relationships. The evidence has been a lack of horizontal ‘integration strategies’ between agriculture and other areas of the economy.
Our inability as a collective was exposed after Sandals Barbados received carte blanche to import several commodities, including rum and furniture, after receiving a washpan of concessions by government. Here was an opportunity missed to insist Sandals agree to procure specific commodities from local suppliers. What is equally disappointing is that actors in the private sector tamely accepted the arrangement.
Another example of our lack of commitment to maximise opportunities for local industry was exposed this week. CEO of the Barbados Agriculture Society (BAS) James Paul was in the news BEGGING various players in the retail and hospitality sectors to meet with the BAS to ensure suppliers of local product can efficiently plan for the increase demand with a major cricket event to be held in Barbados in June.
Paul made the good point that there has been a laissez faire, reactive approach (blogmaster’s words) historically shown by retailers because successive governments have been quick to approve import permits for items that are produced in Barbados – and with commonsense planning demand could have been met. Surely relevant government ministries and agencies; Agriculture, Small Business, Finance should seize on being proactive in the national interest.
Then again, there is reported (boasted about by the talking heads) of over 3 billion dollars in international reserves, why bother, easy come, easy go. Does the average Joe Bajan understand the price Barbadians have had to pay to accumulate 3 billion in reserves? Think 2018 debt restructure, think mismanagement and lack of accountability and transparency of national resources. The Mottley government and supporters pat themselves on the back BUT it is the taxpayer who continues to pay the debt price.
The challenge we continue to experience in Barbados is the non existence of LEADERS in the public and private sectors. There is a crisis of leadership. A leader’s main job is to inspire others to get the job done, a job that is hitched to a relevant vision driven by well managed objectives. In this case in the national interest. Every Barbadian must develop a mindset that elevates national interest at the expense of narrow silly partisan perspective and self interest. It must be replaced by innovative, creative and dispassionate thinking, for the sake of the children.
In a related matter – why in February we are hearing that sugar workers, through the Barbados Worker’s Union, are about the ensure the 2024 crop season is further delayed? Why is the matter of remuneration a pain point at this late stage? Isn’t 2024 meant to be a transformative year for the sector taking on new ownership? What the hell is going on!
The blogmaster invites you to join the discussion.