LIME/ UWI forum looks to future

TOP DECISION-MAKERS in the commercial sectors will get together and hear what other social partners and unions have to say when UWI/LIME hosts its inaugural CEOs Forum in the CARICOM Research Building, Cave Hill Campus this morning.Alex McDonald, country manager, LIME Barbados, said the event would incorporate those in certain areas of expertise in discussions, while trying to find solutions on how best they could move forward  and be creative and fresh in the 21st century.McDonald said it was felt that there was a need to hear what confidence industry leaders had for the future and for them to collectively get together and rethink strategies for their businesses.“In the turn of the [last] century, we sent Bajans out to Panama and they sent their money back into the island helped to float the island out of a recession. After the war, we sent them to London where they became bus drivers and once again they sent home their monies and that again helped the island  to stay afloat.“So we are looking for modern strategies to counter this latest recession and ways we can best move forward with these things,” he said.Among those attending the forum and addressing the seminar will be Dr DeLisle Worrell, Governor of the Central Bank, who will give an overview of the current economic situation and implications for the future; Sir Roy Trotman, general secretary of the Barbados Workers’ Union, on the Role Of Labour: Past, Present And Future; Sue Springer, executive vice-president, Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association, representing the tourism sector; Keith Laurie, representing the agricultural/agro-industrial sectors; and Randolph Sandiford, CEO of Matrix Marketing Inc., representing the manufacturing sector.McDonald said there would also be discussion  on new and emerging industries. Mark Hill, chief innovation officer, of Innogen Technologies will also speak on the alternative  energy sector. (CT)