The foundation remains constantly at the base

EDITOR: Very few persons, if at all any, are likely to decry the National Investment Promotions Inc. (NIPI) in its effort to arrive at a National Export Strategy (NES). However, the institution itself needs to start with a sound philosophy that the foundation remains constantly at the base.

Take for instance the “invention” at the government-sponsored symposium, which was held at the Methodist Church Hall on November 9, 2006. “Invention” was taken from the JERUSALEM BIBLE.{{more}}

“Jerusalem Bible”? The gathering was asked to stand, they did, yours truly and all, but, not for long. Not even once was the name Christ ever even uttered. Have Vincentians abandoned Christianity? Much more can be said but it is better off left to the learned teachers of Christianity in our midst.

The NIPI in its quest for a quick NES need to consider very seriously that there is a single unchangeable thing, that the foundation is always at the base. Even if charcoal begins and hell freezes over, the above remains constant.

One thoroughly understands the NES is to go big-time into the services sectors especially tourism and the arts and crafts industries. One welcomes that. Surely the figures that were given, as it relates to the disparity between what we buy and what we sell is frightening. The clinging to this introduction of foreign exchange would be drastically reduced when the need to buy from ourselves takes its rightful place.

Poverty alleviation should take its rightful place; NIPI needs to reorder its priorities. Education is fine, but what about its application? Where are the employers to accommodate the large number of employees we continue to produce?

The NIPI and its NES are seen as the “brain-thrust” of the government and correctly so. It is for this very reason that the NIPI and NES need to come up with progressive new ideas to lay the ground work to withstand the tests of time now and in the future.

There is but one area that the NIPI needs to use its influence. The Diamond Industrial Estate. It is in excess of twelve years since the taxpayers of Canada completed that vital facility free of cost to Vincentians. Ingratitude and nothing else is the only way to describe our failure to meaningfully put it to use. With all the necessary infrastructure for a multiplicity of industrial activities, it lies fallow.

In both the public and private sector substantially large amount of monies are squandered away reinventing the wheel.

The hope is that the NIPI with its influence and exposure to investors with much capital could see an undying need for construction at the Diamond Industrial Estate if only for agro-processing and activities akin to agriculture.

SM Quammie