The idea of Mr Peter Boos that there is need to think outside the box is a good one. That he is able to pull together some big names is not surprising, since he is supposed to be a man of good standing and influence.
But I saw no mention among the elite panel of the unions. I saw a lot of money and I am aware of the old time saying, money makes the world go round.
And I know that money breeds money.
To my way of thinking, two elements must accompany the initiative. One is people’s attitude to work and credibility and Government bureaucracy.
In spite of the occasional tourist praising an individual for exceptional services – perhaps because it was an oasis – the general customer service inBarbados can do with upgrading.
I do not know if it has something to do with our high education standard, whereby we are made to feel a sense of superiority, or if it is a relic of slavery, or even that the last bad hurricane was Janet in 1955, but what makes it necessary for us to be constantly reminding people that we must be NISE?
Therefore it may be well to seek the inclusion of the unions in dealing with any effort to upgrade our services. The quiet and seamless resolution of confrontations could go a long way in showing the world that we are ready.
Yes, we have the schooling, but we must show that we have the learning. Even so, although we may have the assistance of unions there is need to be competitive when we are seeking to confront the world. The report is dead right when it says that we need to “reset” and not to expect that business will be as usual when and if the world economy settles down. In these economic times many countries are faced with what we are confronting, and like ourselves must be thinking outside the box.
Thus we must have a competitive edge in service, attitude and financial services.
Above all, our Government must be in the loop. Although I see many big names and corporate “magguffies”, all our efforts will come to naught (like Kensington Oval which was supposed to generate riches galore) if the proposed foundation becomes only a talk shop. Government needs to be told, or reminded of, what the roadblocks are, both bureaucratic and cyber, to the freeingup of businesses, not only as far as the outside world is concerned, but also for the ordinary citizens.
Two examples come to mind. Why is there a line as long as a rope outside the Tax Office at the beginning of October? It is a waste of time. Why do we spend two hours each morning going to work because of traffic congestion?
Maybe you say in the case of the latter that it happens everywhere, even in New York or London. But we should be saying “not in Barbados”. Find a solution!
One day drive in the right lane, the next day in the left. Women drivers on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday; men drivers on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Everybody drive on Sunday. Or something like that!
Think outside the box, Ministry of Transport and Works. How about the conflicting diagrams of how to or not to exit Observatory Road?
More than anything else, expedite compliance regulations so that businesses can be registered and off to a start in quick time – like in competitive jurisdictions. Do something about land titles so that lawyers do not live off the fat of the land; and that land transfers and such things can be simplified and expedited.
Out of the summit on November 16 and 17 should come a memorandum to Government challenging it to become an urgent partner in this effort.
Remember, senior citizens are growing not only in age, but also in numbers.
Legislation on banking cooperation should enfold them before the earth does.
Harry Russell is a former banker. Email quijote70@gmail.com