Manufacturing alive in Barbados

Manufacturing is not dead.

So says Shardae Boyce, new Executive Director of the Barbados Manufacturing Association (BMA).

“We are still very much alive. We had our challenges, but we stood our ground and, going forward, we are going to ensure the sector performs better,” she told The Barbados Advocate at the Barbados Investment Development Corporation (BIDC)’s Annual Buyers’ Programme Brunch at Bagnall’s Point Gallery.

In terms of moving forward, she indicated, “We are looking at creating inroads into other markets. We are looking at increasing the profile of the local manufacturing sector generally and we are investing in training, innovation etc…

“Even with the challenges we continue to evolve and we do see a lot of young people entering the market with innovative ideas. We know renewable energy is an important sector, and they are areas that local and regional distributors are requesting products and we are looking at developing this area.

“One of the things we are doing better at the BMA is increasing our community outreach programme. We are going into schools because we want our young minds to think creatively and be innovative. This will not only redound to the manufacturing sector, but the country in general. We have to continue focusing on creating the culture that manufacturing is attractive to the local citizens and that is why we are going into schools, because it starts from there. It is important that they know we have quality products right here in Barbados.”

Boyce also added, “From May 18th, we will be hosting BMEX at the LESC (Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Center). You can look forward to a variety of participants this year. We have persons into soap manufacturing that I’m excited about, because this is a sector that I believe we can develop going forward. We also have a number of mature companies. The entire mission is having our members not only look at the local market, but we want to make sure our manufacturing sector becomes world class and not only a manufacturing sector that follows national standards, but we want to create an international sector. We have a variety of companies looking to export and get into a number of European markets as well as South American markets and thus BMEX is an excellent opportunity to connect local companies with buyers.”

In terms of drawing numbers to BMEX, the Executive Director highlighted, “This year we are looking at the traditional fashion show and we are going to be doing that better in 2018. We are looking at a bigger and better fashion show [and] we have local movies being displayed. BMEX 2018 will be a celebration of everything Bajan, not only Bajan manufacturing, but also linking the cultural sector as well.” (NB)