I FIRMLY BELIEVE that the Caribbean region is in dire need of more exporters, more individuals, more entrepreneurs who think of exporting. The simple truth of the matter is that we have in the Caribbean been very well accustomed to those who buy goods from far-flung places, ship them here, pay duties, put on a mark-up, make their profits and reinvest in a similar field.
But we often don’t give thanks to those who are the exporters, who are the ones who are generating the foreign exchange that is needed to buy those same goods that we all like to have here in the region.
The ones who are having the countless sleepless nights wondering whether their goods will arrive, wondering whether they will be paid on time, wondering whether the banker will give them the support they need.
And that is why we must really celebrate the exporters that we have within the region.
I believe they are the ones who are really going to make the fundamental difference in the economy going forward.
I believe that our region must really accept that no one owes us a favour. We really have to earn our way in this world.
The changing geopolitical circumstances that are occurring will really and truly indicate to all of us that we are just a little speck in the ocean and we are not going to be the centre of attention in the new world order going forward.
The simple truth of the matter is that the region psychologically must accept that no one owes us a favour.
We must also recognise that there is strength and power in unity and in working together. Perhaps if we compete less among ourselves and cooperate more we will as a region punch above our weight in the global arena.
I also believe that the region cannot grow by persistent protectionist policies. We have to accept competition, be prepared to fight on the basis of innovation, skills and determination, not just on high tariff rates at our borders.
We have to respect our exporters, you are the ones who are earning the foreign exchange, in many respects you are the ones who are also being very innovative, not just in terms of goods but also in terms of services.
In Barbados, we are about 68 per cent service economy and that’s why we focus so much on international business, tourism, all of these are part of our export industry that we must celebrate here in the region.
While we need the export industries to really grow, is because nobody takes our currency outside of the departure lounge in our airports, we have to earn the foreign exchange to pay for whatever we want.
We need to cultivate a Caribbean brand for our goods and services.
There must be something very special about the Caribbean. Let us wrap our minds around the definition of a Caribbean brand and let it be manifested in all that we produce, whether it be goods or services for an international market.
The future really depends on us making a greater effort in the export thrust of goods and services in this region.
Minister of Industry, International Business, Commerce & Small Business Development Donville Inniss made these remarks at last week’s Caribbean Export Of The Year Awards at Hilton Barbados.
