Investors interested
Wednesday January 04 2012 | 08:17 PM

There are some foreign investors that have been pursuing manufacturing business ventures in Barbados, and Executive Director of the Barbados Manufacturers’ Association (BMA), Bobbi McKay, says their interest is not only welcomed, but being encouraged, as it is likely to result in additional jobs for Barbadians.

“They are coming in, though not as often as I would like, but they are coming. The latest one being Caribbean LED Lighting Inc, which is going to be manufacturing light bulbs very shortly right here from our shores and we at the BMA are hoping to see more of that this new year,” she indicated during a recent interview with The Barbados Advocate.

McKay added that there are a number of companies that have expressed an interest in setting up their operations in Barbados, but she indicated that some have abandoned the idea, complaining about what they perceive to be the slow pace at which some matters pertinent to the success of their operations are processed.

“I think it is time that we get people in Barbados to understand that every cog in the wheel has a role to play to make things more efficient and make things run smoother and in essence helps to keep costs down. Every delay adds to the costs of production and when we complain about the cost of items in Barbados, we seem not to realise that each one of us can help to either reduce it or hamper business,” she said.

The BMA official added, “We still have too many people who do not realise that all of us are working to develop and grow Barbados and all of us are working to ensure that our children and grandchildren have a bright future.”

McKay disclosed that in addition to the overseas investors, she is hopeful that more local manufacturers will also come on the scene, and offer new and existing products to the public, as well as explore the option of export.

“We know that often persons turn to manufacturing as a secondary option, when they lose their job perhaps, but we really want to see Barbadians making manufacturing their first choice and seeing it as a viable career option. We believe that manufacturing can help us emerge from this recession, but we need everyone – individuals and manufacturers alike – to have pride in their country and fully support the locally made products,” she said.