Barbados’ manufacturing exports to the Caribbean have increased 21 per cent over the last six years, while extra-regional exports rose 17 per cent.
This disclosure from Minister of Industry, International Business, Commerce and Small Business, Donville Inniss during last night’s official opening of the Barbados Manufacturers Expo (BMEX) at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre.
Ribbon being cut to open BMEX
“Export of goods from Barbados in 2009 were valued at $439 million, and this increased to $534 million by last year, 2013,” he told a hall packed with exhibitors, government officials and other industry officials.
Caricom – the island’s main export market – received $220 million worth of goods in 2009. This increased to $247 million in 2013.
And as the country grapples with its ongoing economic challenges, Minister Inniss said its time for the country to be solution-focused.
“No one owes any of us, nor any of our economic sectors any favours. We simply have to commit ourselves to redoubling our efforts to think smarter and worker harder. After a year in this position, I can no longer observe, but must make some firm decisions on how we will work together to move this sector forward. We really don’t need any talk, we simply need more action,” he said.
One of the displays at BMEX