The Jobs and Investment Council has been established, and the members of its eight committees are hard at work undertaking their mandate of preparing a guide for the survival and transformation of Barbados.
A wide cross section of persons has been called upon to serve on the committees, including Barbadians in the diaspora.
Former Prime Minister, Professor Owen Arthur, chairs the Industrial Transformation group, which is looking at How to create 20,000 jobs in 18 to 24 months; while Professor The Most Honorable Eudine Barriteau chairs the Services and the Creative Economy one, examining How can we train everyone to world class standards in the delivery of goods and services?
Dereck Foster is chairing the Retail and Commerce committee, which will undertake How can we guarantee food on everyone’s table? and Senator John Rogers chairs that tasked with Securing Food for Every Table.
Dodridge Miller chairs the Finance and Insurance group, which will address How can we fuel investment for the next 18 to 24 months? while Tony Hoyos is chairing the Housing and Infrastructure committee, which is looking at What facility can be used to leverage the capital in the Housing Credit Fund to provide low-income houses?
The Digital Transformation committee, which is chaired by Dr. Annalee Babb, will examine How can we use technology and innovation to solve common everyday problems for Caribbean people? Former Minister of Finance, Christopher Sinckler, will chair the Trade and Logistics group.
The Job and Investment Council met last week, and according to Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, the members are expected to report back to Government within two to four weeks, depending on their areas of concentration.