Acting Prime Ministrer, Freundel Stuart (far right, ‘, ‘, ‘, ‘, ‘, ‘, ‘, ‘, ‘, ‘, ‘, ‘, ‘, ‘, ‘, ‘, ‘, ‘, ‘, ‘, ‘, ‘, NULL, NULL, 0); and Minister of Economic Affairs, Empowerment, Innovation, Trade, Industry and Commerce, Dr. David Estwick, (second from right), chat with employees of Innogen Energy Solutions at BMEX on Friday. (C. Pitt/BGIS)
A Government Minister has praised the efforts of the Barbados Manufacturers Association (BMA) for its hard work over the last two-decades, in promoting the development of the manufacturing sector.
Minister of Economic Affairs, Empowerment, Innovation, Trade, Industry and Commerce, Dr. David Estwick, heaped accolades on the BMA, during the opening ceremony of the Barbados Manufacturers Exhibition (BMEX), at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre, last Friday.??
At a time of financial constraint and dwindling resources, Dr. Estwick noted that the BMA must be commended for keeping the annual trade fair on the island’s social calender.
He surmised: "BMEX continues to be one of the most anticipated trade shows in the region which presents manufacturers with the opportunity to showcase their products.?? It is an occasion for manufacturers to meet potential customers and increase the visibility of their products; this is crucial for the development of small and emerging manufacturers."
Dr. Estwick described BMEX as the conduit through which local manufacturers could establish strategic links with their regional counterparts "with a view to enhancing their export earning capabilities".
Given this expectation, the Economic Affairs Minister pledged Government’s continued assistance to the sector. "Over the years, Government, working closely with those agencies, established to assist in charting the strategic direction of the local manufacturing sector, has implemented a number of initiatives and programmes, to enhance the overall performance of the sector.?? Notwithstanding these efforts, the
challenges presented by globalisation, trade liberalisation and the current economic downturn, have adversely affected the manufacturing sector," he explained.
Dr. Estwick urged Barbadians to embrace the idea of distinctive businesses with local character and pointed out: "Our country thrives off innovation of entrepreneurs which fuels our economic prosperity. Let us all lend our support to aid in the sustainable development of the local manufacturing sector."
The four-day trade fair which began on Friday, May 21 and attracted more than 150 local and overseas exhibitors, concluded yesterday.