Minister in the Ministry of Finance, the Hon. Ryan Straughn addressing members of the of the Barbados Yacht Club.
Barbados will be keeping a watchful eye on the United States 2020 General Election, which is fast approaching.
Minister in the Ministry of Finance, Ryan Straughn said that the result, whether we like it or not, on November 3rd, will play a significant role in terms of the path this country and the rest of the world would have to navigate.
“Because it requires a significant policy change and shift, leadership and mindset, in order to change the trajectory with respect to how the coronavirus pandemic is managed globally,” he maintained.
“And that is where we have some concerns as any right-thinking person would have those concerns, but whatever happens, Barbados must chart its own path with respect to being able to ensure that we can do right by the people of Barbados first, and then those who care to visit this country, that we also do right by them once they are here.”
Minister Straughn, who was at the time addressing the members of the Barbados Yacht Club on the topic, “Boom or Bust in this Pandemic: Which way for Barbados,” stressed that the Mia Mottley-Led Administration has set about to ensure that they transform how they do things.
“In my mind there is no notion of bust, there’s no notion so much of boom. It is about how do we establish and maintain a very serious social compact that allows all Barbadians to move forward with confidence knowing that I have your back, and you have mine. And that no matter what happens on November 3rd or any other date that may come about in the future, that Barbados and Barbadians and those who choose to live in Barbados, would know that we operating as one would be capable of overcoming any challenges.”
However, the Minister emphasised that going forward leadership is crucial. He said not just at the level of the Prime Minister, but at all levels.
“It takes leadership in every company, neighbourhood, church, organization – at all levels to be able to bring about the changes that we know that we have not implemented in our own spaces as fast as we could,” he said, further pointing out that COVID-19 presented a very unique opportunity to leapfrog a number of the issues that have been plaguing everyone for far too long.
“And your government is committed to doing just that. But in doing so, we will continue to communicate with the public – to make decisions in the interest of the people of this country. But, you must know that we do this not just because its COVID-19, but it was always our mission to transform Barbados,” Straughn assured members. (TL)