Minister of Industry, International Business, Commerce and Small Business Development, Donville Inniss, wants to see more recognition given to persons for their innovation and creativity.
He also suggested that innovation and creativity were attributes that would help to turn this country???s economy and society around.
Mr. Inniss made these comments while delivering the feature address at Courts (Barbados) Ltd. at Sheraton Mall yesterday during the launch of the RestOnTheWord collection. It features an assortment of bed linens, blankets and tablecloths emblazed with bible verses and scriptures.
Noting that that more discussion was needed on intellectual property, Mr. Inniss said: ???Intellectual property is indeed a valuable asset which we all have to take more seriously in this island??? and I trust that persons who are in this field will do all that is necessary to ensure that your creativity, ideas and products are appropriately registered or licensed, so that you can benefit from intellectual property going forward.???
In lauding the founder and partner of Chilom Inc., Paula Philips, who created the collection, the Minister stressed that his Ministry, in particular the Corporate Affairs and Intellectual Property Office, would endeavour to make ???great strides on the issue of intellectual property in Barbados going forward???.
???We have to raise the issue of awareness. We have to ensure that Barbadians know how to do it and there is greater recognition of the value and the monies to be made from intellectual property in Barbados??? I recently would have taken a position as Minister responsible to direct that we provide the requisite skills in terms of personnel as well as the necessary support system to ensure that we begin the step of separating the intellectual property from the other Corporate registry and administrative matters pertaining to Corporate formation and administration in this country, so that intellectual property can gain its rightful place???,??? he underscored.
Responding to a call from Managing Director of Courts (Barbados) Limited, Trisha Tannis to have more products produced locally, Mr. Inniss said this might not always be possible, noting, ???If Paula???s ideas are able to find a competent and right-prized manufacturer elsewhere in the world [then] I am not unduly daunted by the fact that it is not manufactured right here in Barbados??? I would like it to happen but I am also mindful that it might be done at a cost that may restrict your market.???
The Industry minister advised Barbadians, especially young persons to take advantage of the opportunities that were available and try to penetrate both the local and external markets.
He said: ???The fact that you can now [conduct business] through e-commerce, through our banking systems and through the internet or through what is available in our modern technology??? The fact that the world is now your market place, it really should not make a [a lot] of difference that it is not manufactured in Barbados.???
theresa.blackman@barbados.gov.bb