Prime Minister David Thompson stated this yesterday evening near the end of an historic swearing-in ceremony held at Kensington Oval.
During the three-hour ceremony and ecumenical service attended by thousands, Thompson announced he was holding talks last night with visiting Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerritt of Dominica to get cheaper fruit and vegetables for Barbados.
This, he said, was among initiatives "to reduce the cost of living . . . as well as develop and expand the economy through diversification".
". . . Prime Minister Skerritt is here to begin talks as to how we can break up the monopolies that control our food supply and to make sure the fruits and vegetables that may be rotting in Dominica can end up fresh and cheap in Barbados, to lower the cost of essential foods for all . . . ," Thompson told the gathering packed into the Greenidge & Haynes Stand and spilling over into the Hewitt & Inniss Stand.
"In talks later this evening, we shall be exploring the feasibility of our pledge to boost maritime transport in the region and land nutritional foods in Barbados at more affordable prices."
Thompson's DLP swept to power last Tuesday, on a platform that included promises to reduce the spiralling cost of food and boost economic development.
He also announced that Arden McLean, a Government minister in the Cayman Islands who also attended yesterday's ceremony, was here "to start talks about further diversifying our economy through strengthening our financial services sector".
Thompson told the congregation that included many in their finest wear "your new Government has already begun the people's work".
He pledged that his Administration would do its utmost to live up to the high expectations that Barbadians had of it. He said he expected some challenges, including globalisation that was taking place at a rapid pace.
However, he told Barbadians that they "must not be intimidated by prophets of doom and gloom", pointing out that they had survived challenges before.
The Prime Minister urged Barbadians, "from the highest to the lowest", to band together and put their shoulders "to the wheel" to help their country.
"No one person can run this country on his own," he said.
The swearing-in ceremony was shifted from Government House where it was a restricted event.