It is my pleasure on behalf of the Barbados Private Sector Association to bring New Year’s greetings to everyone in Barbados.
As the New Year dawns and as we chart the way forward, the hope for each of us is for a better tomorrow. We are deeply conscious that the pursuit of a better tomorrow is dependent on a number of factors, some which are in our control, and others which are not. Nevertheless, as we make our New Year resolutions, let us each aim to commit to seeking out and pursuing those opportunities which will be to our benefit, and ultimately to that of our nation’s development.
Looking back, 2011 has been a challenging year for businesses and for households. It was a year which forced many in society into a re-examination of “wants” and “needs”. One lesson learnt at all levels is that we must critically review our expenses and seek to live within our means.
It will also be remembered as a year during which the words innovation and entrepreneurship took on new importance and significance.
For us in the private sector, the past year was one of adapting organisations to change as the concept of business “as usual” turned into “business unusual”. Present indications suggest that 2012 will continue this trend of “business unusual”.
What will be required on the part of our leaders and workforce will be greater cooperation to use our energies, our skills and our knowledge to pursue higher productivity in the workplace. We must recognize and agree that higher productivity is fundamental to our economic progress, to our nation’s prosperity and ultimately to our well-being.
I would like to express gratitude to the Government and the labour movement for continuing to work together with us in 2011 under the tripartite mechanism in the best interests of our nation.
Our expectation is that 2012 will be a year requiring even greater collaboration within the Social Partnership as we collectively seek to strengthen what has been accomplished, and to face the many challenges that lay ahead.
As we celebrate the start of a New Year, we in the Barbados Private Sector Association commit to playing our part in the continuing social development and economic growth of our nation.