SOME OF THE BEST locally manufactured goods were on display this past weekend when the Barbados Manufacturers’ Association held its annual exposition.
Based on attendance and interest,it would have been declared a success. However, a lot must be done if we are to grow this important sector of the economy.
This annual exhibition is a unique opportunity for manufacturers to show Barbadians and visitors to the island, as well as buyers who come specifically for the event, our products and services. It is a time to compare and contrast what we do against others in the region and internationally.
It is indeed important that our manufacturers, whether small or medium-sized enterprises, recognize that they must compete on the global market if they want to survive and indeed grow.
Protectionist policies are not going to cut it any longer since consumers are demanding only the very best and are not in favour of supporting a product merely because it is locally produced.
The critical factor is that our manufacturers must be competitive and offer quality to a more discerning public, whether local or overseas.
We appreciate the challenges they face with high costs, especially when compared to what their counterparts in Jamaica and Trinidad pay for labour and highly subsidized oil, respectively.
Neither can we turn a blind eye to the unacceptable non-tariff barriers some of our Caribbean counterparts impose.
These are valid concerns but cannot be used as excuses for us not to step up production in our manufacturing sector, which is critical in the island’s quest to earn foreign exchange and create jobs.
Today’s consumers are more sophisticated and will not be sympathetic to our manufacturers if they do not produce goods to the required standard. The options are there – shopping overseas, either in person or online.
In order to remain competitive our manufacturers will have to reinvent their operations, invest in more technology and switch to alternate energy.
They will also need to look at operating 24-7 to meet the demands of expanding markets, while paying special attention to issues ranging from packaging and labelling to linkages with international brands to exploiting intellectual property rights.
There must be a new approach.
Government must recognize its crucial role in helping the manufacturers, especially those that are export-oriented, to ensure they penetrate the foreign markets – whether they’re looking for a specific niche or producing under licence.
The Barbados Industrial and Development Corporation, as well as Export Barbados, must be in the trenches with the manufacturers. This is the best way of judging the quality of goods that the public sees and praises every year.