#BTColumn – Are we living in two Barbadoses?

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by this author are their own and do not represent the official position of the Barbados Today.

Citizens of Barbados first let me say this article is not political but as a concerned citizen. I am now at ease that our Prime Minister has implemented a curfew. However, I am disheartened at the fact it took this long to get here.

While we acknowledge a ‘National Pause’, shouldn’t we pause international flights from high risk countries as well? Since the rise of COVID-19 in 2020 this administration has yet to close our borders. It’s only under duress that we are here.

It seemed to me that this government is concerned about economics more so than the livelihood of its citizens. It is setting the precedent that money is more important than life.

Our people are our biggest resource. It is a well known fact that the majority of Barbadians suffer from non communicable diseases.

While COVID isn’t a death threat to some, we know of its complications for those with underlying illnesses and long term implications for healthy individuals.

So if we have an aging population and births are decreasing, if they all die due to covid- related complications what will be left of our population? Not everyone is on board with the vaccine nor do some Barbadians have faith in its efficacy.

I must also comment on the tone that is targeted towards Bajans. Bajans aren’t upset entirely that covid is here. It’s the lapse in protocols to begin with that we are upset about and the fact that there seems to be two Barbadoses.

It’s them and us ! It appears that one Barbados can do as they please while the other is ostracized for doing the same.

It’s not a good look especially if we are supposed to be in this “together”.

Lots more I’d like to touch on in this regard but this article is about us moving forward post COVID-19.

Amidst all that is happening, I urge our leader(s) to take a look at China. China was able to do a full take on lockdown and survive economically because its income does not solely rely on tourism.

China is well known for manufacturing and that’s how they were able to keep their economy going. They are now the second largest economy in the world.

Korea is ranked Number 1 in the world for robotics and technology.

If we bring it home to the Caribbean. Jamaica is known for other than just sand, sea and sun, Grenada is known for its spices and Guyana for rice, gold, and the like.

I say that to say Barbados needs to find other sources to earn foreign exchange other than tourism because look where it got us so far.

My suggestion is not limited to technology and robotics but we have acres of land that can be used for agricultural purposes.

There’s the new development of the marijuana industry. Let’s be real, though it’s projected to generate millions of dollars, that only stands to benefit a marginal few, not the average Barbadian.

This would be the ideal time that we showcase our talents to the world and sell ourselves on a global market. I do not claim to have the perfect working formula to magically jump start our economy.

However, I do know that we can not depend on tourism alone.

If we were to research how much money is put into tourism on a yearly basis we should reconsider our strategy where tourism is concerned. It’s also known that tourist arrivals may have increased prior to COVID, however their spending has not.

So we ought to put that money we invest in tourism to better use that would actually generate the revenue our economy needs. The aim is to become a truly independent nation.

Some clarity is needed on the loans acquired from the IMF and its involvement, if any, in the restructuring of our debt.

When the incumbent government came into office we had a fiscal debt of over 155 per cent of GDP which was the highest in the Latin American and Caribbean region. As of to date Barbados is US$6.35 billion in debt compared to the $4.49 billion in 2010.

Ria Riley is the former UPP candidate for Christ Church West Central in the 2018 general election.