Innovation needed in manufacturing sector

Though Barbados has a manufacturing sector to be proud of, as the island looks ahead to the future manufacturers “have to think and act outside the box.”

Minister of Industry, International Business, Commerce and Small Business Development, Donville Inniss made this disclosure as he addressed Friday’s Massy United Insurance Limited BMEX Opening Ceremony at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre.

 

He identified increased emphasis on the importance of research, innovation and boldly approaching new markets as areas where focused is needed as efforts are made to develop and move the manufacturing sector forward.

 

Speaking about research, he implored “the Manufacturers Association, the BIDC and all stakeholders let us commit ourselves with immediate effect towards getting a more research oriented focus in the development in the manufacturing sector.”

 

Meanwhile addressing the issue of innovation, he said “we can’t keep doing things the same way over and over again and expect different results. We really and truly need to bring innovation. Innovation not just in terms of technology, not just in terms of the ICTs environment, not just in terms of use of the social media to put your products and your services on the international market place, but funny enough, also innovation in terms of the way we manage our enterprises in Barbados.”

 

He further said that innovation was needed in terms of “how we manage our businesses as well. Innovation also in terms of the strategic alliances that we forged.” (MG)