DLP says Gov’t putting big business first

The Democratic Labour Party’s spokesman on Small Business and Entrepreneurship Ryan Walters on Monday accused Government of continually overlooking small businesses while larger firms are receiving the majority of capital works contracts.

Walters, who is also the party’s vice president, said in a statement that the recent cries from small artisans and contractors reaffirm his position.

Walters said: “In a recent interview with the members of the executive committee of the Barbados Contractors & Artisans Cooperative Society by Brasstacks moderator David Ellis, there were cries from its leadership for more government contracts.

“This cry comes at a time when the Government on the other hand, has embarked on various home construction projects and major Government facility renovations with large contractors.”

Walters explained that the cooperative is made up of some 200 contractors, associated construction professionals and artisans.

He declared: “We are at all not surprised with this posture from the Government. After all, the recent budget cemented the position of this Government, that even in unprecedented times, they are not willing to put their support behind small businesses and entrepreneurs although this group constitutes over 90 per cent of businesses in Barbados and over 60 per cent of employment in the private sector.”

Walters said that Governments around the globe have been putting small business and entrepreneurs on a pedestal, ensuring the economy is stimulated from the bottom up.

He said: “The DLP will continue to express our disappointment, on behalf of the sector, with the Government and the two Ministers for their handling of this key sector.”

The spokesman also sought to remind Prime Minister Mia  Mottley of her own words:  “What we cannot have is the choking off of opportunities in Barbados for ordinary people.”

“We urge this administration to get serious about handling the affairs of the small business people of this country,” Walters urged.  (IMC)