A call is being made for the Barbados Investment and Development Corporation (BIDC) and Invest Barbados to form a closer working relationship.
The two key statutory agencies are involved in start-up and promotion of businesses, and according to Industry Minister, Donville Inniss, the closer collaboration and cooperation between them could prove beneficial for Barbados and help to create synergies in areas.
“BIDC and Invest Barbados have to work closer together . . . . There has been talk of merging the two entities again and the technocrats will revisit that issue and make firm recommendations by the end of this calendar year, but meanwhile, there are synergies in areas that they can partner . . .”
As an example, the Minister said that Barbadian officers stationed abroad needed to do more to help get Barbadian products and services in the market place.
“It is not only about attracting investment into Barbados . . . . The reality about it is what more can we do to get Barbadian products and services in the market place and it is not just BIDC alone or Invest Barbados alone, but every officer working abroad whether it be the Tourism Authority, Invest Barbados, the Farm Labour programme or Foreign Affairs, must see themselves as Ambassadors for Barbados and promoters of Barbadian goods and services . . . ,” Mr Inniss charged. (TB/BGIS)
