Minister of International Business and International Transport, George Hutson.

A Government Minister has deemed public and private sector collaboration to be critical to the survival of the International Business sector, as the international community continues to wrestle with the challenges of a financial crisis of proportions hitherto unseen since the 1930s.

Speaking at a recent National Consultation on the International Business Sector, held at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre, Minister of International Business and International Transport, George Hutson asserted: “We at the Ministry believe that it is this kind of collaborative effort that will see us through these trying times.”

Lauding stakeholders for their “tremendous” response, Minister Hutson said the gathering symbolised the value which his Ministry placed on its stakeholders and constituents, as well as their commitment to the continued development of the sector.

“All of you would be aware that the international business sector therefore faces a number of unique challenges. However, we are not daunted by the task before us, but instead we are confident  in our ability to meet these challenges head on knowing that we shall prevail because of our past experiences and past triumphs,” he pointed out.

Minister Hutson said the consultation presented the opportunity for Government to utilise the collective energies and inputs of its various constituents, as it recognised that its policies are only as effective as the strength and depth of its partnership with the private sector.

Minister Hutson expressed the hope that the day’s talks would lead to a consensus on the “way forward”.

“I believe that Barbados will indeed weather the current global financial and economic crisis and emerge on a more sustainable path towards economic and social development, with the international business sector as its beacon,” he surmised. 

In addressing the stakeholders Director of International Business, Francoise Hendy, said the overarching aim of the consultation was to “retrofit Barbados as a jurisdiction for attracting International Business”.

cgaskin@barbados.gov.bb

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