Barbados must adopt a policy where instead of spending so much time highlighting the negative, we choose to focus on the many positive things that this island can boast about and then build upon these attributes.
So states Minister of Labour, Social Security and Human Resource Development, Senator Dr. Esther Byer-Suckoo, who delivered the feature address on Wednesday afternoon at the Graduation Ceremony of the Small Business Association (SBA) at the Grand Salle, Central Bank of Barbados.
She said that this country is mentioned by the World Economic Forum for its strong developments.
“Our country has embarked on a path of growth that is smart, sustainable and inclusive. While it may be true that recently we have been spending a lot of time – and maybe too much time – highlighting all the things we need to improve, so much so that you may think there are no positives on which to build, let me remind you that Barbados has been recognised by the World Economic Forum no less, for its strong institutions and infrastructure, its quality health, education and training, its market efficiencies and technological readiness.”
The Labour Minister stated that when we focus on these key areas, we can move full steam ahead into creative thinking, research development and performance enhancement, which would then lead to the creation of more employment opportunities for its citizens.
“The path of growth on which we have embarked must take us in the direction where strengthening knowledge and innovation drives that growth. This means focusing our education and training to promote more creative thinking; strengthening our research and development performance; promoting knowledge sharing and transfer; making full use of information and communication technologies; and fostering the development of new products, services and technology that would create growth and quality jobs.
“This emphasis on developing human capital to drive Barbados’ competitiveness and overall economic development is the very core of Barbados’ labour policies, including the National Employment Policy and the Barbados Human Resource Development Policy. A major part of that human capital focus must be knowledge transfer and application, innovation and entrepreneurship.” (PJT)