Vincentian launches book on Enhancing Competitiveness in Small Developing States

Vincentian author, Dr Robert Alston Stoddard has launched his book, “Enhancing Competitiveness in Small Developing States”.

The official launch took place on Monday, December 23, 2024, at the conference room of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Community College, Villa.

Condensed into fourteen chapters, Stoddard gave approaches, tools and policies, relative to the proposed enhancement.

Speaking at the launch, Stoddard underlined that “The range of issues covered in the book are pertinent to our development and speak to us as a country, to address how we can be better placed to be competitive in the world economy”.

He, however, cautioned that his book is not the “panacea”, but provides practical tools that small island states such as St Vincent and the Grenadines can apply.

“We can only survive and compete if our standard or quality is on par with the best in the business. It is an approach that I am proposing. We can only compete with the other companies if we are as good as they are or better than they are.”.

Stoddard, who revealed that the book was based on his engagements working regionally, wrote in the foreword: “Emanating from a regional study of the industrial status in the CARICOM Member States, it proposes new and revised approaches to public policy on many development issues. The book also analyzed the policy and regulatory environment in several small developing states and has developed approaches that are critical to strengthening the institutional capacity in support of the SME sector”.

The foreword further outlines that “The book is replete with insights; inspiring real life cases and offers alternative approaches to development. This book is designed to help students, practitioners and policy makers gain an understanding of the existential challenges that confront small developing states that have resulted in several economic fallouts to the extent that some countries have experienced the demise of many of their traditional industries”.

Stoddard is using various means of getting his book in the hands of the public. Apart from having copies available locally, potential buyers can also get a copy on Amazon.