DISAPPOINTED.
That is how outspoken Minister of International Business, Industry and Commerce Donville Inniss summed up his feelings about the “tardiness” within Government departments, which is blocking potential investment in the country.
Speaking at the official launch of the new flagship Standard Distribution store in Wildey, St Michael, yesterday, Inniss said he was disappointed to hear that efforts to bring “meaningful” investments were being “frustrated”, especially at a time when people are struggling to make ends meet.
“If an entity like ANSA McAl, who wishes to expand their Trimart investment in Barbados, has applications before Government departments, then the public officers tasked with dealing with those applications should not go home on evenings unless they are finished. And this silliness of one department in Government sitting for weeks and weeks before passing a file on to another department needs to come to a screeching halt,” he advised.
“People have options. They do not have to invest in Barbados, but where they make that commitment to invest in this fair land, from my end, we must act with a sense of urgency, without diluting our professionalism to ensure such investments are treated expeditiously.” (YB)
Please read the full story in today’s Saturday Sun, or in the eNATION edition.
