BIDC exploring opportunities

Minister of International Business and Industry Ronald Toppin is giving local manufacturers and exporters the assurance that 2020 will not be a wasted year.

He said that his Ministry and by extension the Barbados Investment & Development Corporation (BIDC) are very focused on “arresting opportunity out of every crisis faced presently and in the future”.

“As I speak, we are exploring what products we can export; what markets we can penetrate; which routes we can take to get there; which producers we can aid in scaling up and exporting; what interventions the government can make to attain the big and audacious goal we have set for ourselves which is growing our exports exponentially”.

Minister Toppin, who was at the time addressing BIDC’s Awards Ceremony at Bagnall’s Point Courtyard, Pelican Village, yesterday reported that despite the major disruption to trade the agency was able to achieve certified exports of almost $300 million between January to November 2020.

“Which though below last year’s tally of $333 million is still worthy of mention given the circumstances. We recognise the efforts of our exporters in this regard and we pledge our continued support to them in the new year,” he expressed.   

Toppin told BIDC staff that this year has taught many lessons, one such being “we are not isolated from what is happening around us”.

He therefore insisted that the impact they hope to make in the world through their offering of goods and services will depend on how resilient, adaptable, and visionary producers and exporters are.

“The problems we have encountered over the years and the challenges impeding us at present are what we meditate upon. And we fail to create a vision of the future we want to construct for ourselves and our businesses – what is the grand achievement we want for the Industrial Sector and Barbados in 2021; what new business model has been forced in the fire of the covid-19; what new product or service will pique the interest and excitement of Barbadians at home and many in mainstream markets abroad. The time for bold new endeavours is now,” he stressed.

The International Business and Industry Minister also took the opportunity to commend the Board and Management of the BIDC and congratulate those being recognised for their efforts and achievements.

Awards were presented to persons serving 10 to 40 years, and the agency acknowledged the retirement of Ms. Anthea Grimes, Ms. Madeline Headley-Woodroffe, Ms. Carmel Lyder, and Ms. Sonja Trotman.

Effective December 31, 2020, Ms. Trotman will be retiring as Chief Executive Officer of the Barbados Investment and Development Corporation after 35 years of service. (TL)