Still work to be done

2016 was a year of mixed blessings for the manufacturing sector, but Executive Director of the Barbados Manufacturers’ Association (BMA), Bobbi McKay is hopeful that the coming year will see an overall improvement for the industry.

 

In an interview with The Barbados Advocate, McKay indicated that times remained tough for the smaller companies as it relates to financing, particularly quick access to funds.

She said while medium to large enterprises in the sector had a better year in that respect and businesses did relatively well, they faced problems associated with the implementation of the new National Social Responsibility (NSR) Levy, which was announced in the August Financial Statement and Budgetary Proposals. According to the BMA’s Executive Director, there has been some confusion relative to the NSR Levy, how it is to be applied and to whom, and she said some entities were refusing to pay invoices where it had to be charged.

 

“So that is an issue we are still quietly working on that to get the situation resolved as soon as possible,” she stated.

 

 

In spite of those challenges however, McKay said in 2016 players in the sector showed a resilience and determination to get things done, which she said helped to sustain the sector.

 

“For next year I am hoping we continue along a similar vein, but that we get a little more cooperation where local businesses and stores are willing to give locally made products a fighting chance. I had one small firm that does amazing work in glass, who approached one of the stores in town but was told they only carry Italian glass. They need to be not so narrow minded because at the end of the day when the tourists come through, they want to see authentic Barbadian products, not things that they can easily get back home. Unfortunately, some people are still not getting that message and that is hurting our manufacturers,” she lamented.

 

McKay is adamant that 2017 must be the year to see a true turnaround in local businesses’ support for their manufacturing counterparts in all spheres - from condiments to furniture and everything in between. She admitted that the problem is not as widespread as it was some years back, but there is still work to be done to help Barbadian businesses and individuals alike recognise that buying local does not equate to buying inferior products.

 

“People who want to buy local are often companies not owned or run by locals which is really sad. On the other hand, Bajans coming home and returning nationals are proud to find products they can take back and tell persons they are from Barbados. So we still have quite a way to go,” she said. (JRT)