Barbados’ manufacturing sector should be lauded not only for the quality of its output but the role it plays in creating employment.
This is according to executive director of the Barbados Manufacturers’ Association (BMA) Bobbi McKay.
She was speaking Friday during the launch of the BMA’s most recent “buy local” campaign I Am Bajan.
“In the manufacturing sector, we hire a lot of people who wouldn’t get jobs in other sectors because some can’t read and write,” she said.
“Some couldn’t even fill out an application form to get a job in some other places but they’re creative with their hands. They can carve and they can make things.”
McKay said she was pleased the sector was finally getting due attention since “for too many years we were told manufacturing is dead, and it’s not”.
“We’re working on a directory and we’re finding people making products that are amazing. Our database is growing everyday.?So we’re over the 500 mark, if we count the microbusinesses,” she stated.
She noted that while the sector employed 10 000 people directly, it also supported 30 000 jobs.
“We support the people who deliver the products . . . who design the labels [and] import the supplies,” she said.
McKay added that the only people who believed that local products were of an inferior quality were “some Barbadians”.
“We are known for quality around the world. We’re known for quality all through the Caribbean.
“The only time I hear our products don’t match up is right here in Barbados and less and less every day,” McKay stated.
