Leader of the Opposition Arnhim Eustace

Speaking to the issue of pension and pensioners , Opposition Leader the Hon. Arnhim Eustace again explained to the public the details surrounding the retirement age and other related issues concerning pensioners.

Mr. Eustace said the Dependency Ratio of 2010 revealed that it takes some one hundred people to support seventeen pensioners however by 2040-2050 it is estimated that one hundred contributors will have to support sixty four pensioners.
He further explained that for persons fifty eight and older at the end of 2013 will be able to retire at the age of sixty but under the new proposals persons younger than fifty eight will have to retire after the age of sixty.

Eustace added that to qualify for pension, a person would have to work for a total of seven hundred and fifty weeks which will take effect as of January 2016.

The Opposition Leader also explained that there would be an increase in the NIS contribution rate from 8 to ten percent with effect from January 1st, 2014. The increase is to be shared equally between employees and employers.

Leader of the Opposition Arnhim Eustace

In responding to a letter in the Vincentian Newspaper , criticising him of bringing the plight of Vincentians to the forefront, Opposition Leader the Hon. Arhnim Eustace says too many Vincentians are being caught up in party politics and blinding themselves to the reality that is before them.

Mr. Eustace said it is no secret that this country is experiencing negative growth, prompting closure of many business houses here along with very little incentives for employment, therefore to say that the country is well off is misleading.

He further added that it is selfishness and greed that has led persons to deny what is happening in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The attitude of “as long as my plate is full” the country is experiencing growth must be done away with, what happen to the poor who can hardly make ends meet? Eustace asked.

The Opposition Leader said he will continue to bring the plight of Vincentians into the spotlight so that the government can take the necessary actions to address the situation.

Leader of the Opposition the Honourable Arnhim Eustace is calling for the protection and safety of tourists who visit our shores so they can feel comfortable.

“Put patrol if that is what necessary” he emphasized. He explained that yachting income is very high, he noted that the first part of 2012 there were 88 visitors 24% of which were yacht visitors.

He further said the nature of that type of tourism is important. Eustace said they spend is money, for which only stay over visitors can beat them.

Eustace said they spend on things like, restoring their stocks, repairs, ice water etc.

Hon DR Friday

The Hon. Dr. Godwin Friday Vice president of the New Democratic Party (NDP) is calling on the government to take criticism concerning the yachting industry seriously as it is an extremely important part of our tourism sector.

Dr. Friday was speaking in connection to the break ins in yachts not only in the Grenadines but on mainland St. Vincent. He advised the government to investigate and deal with any situation that can be damaging to the industry that speaks volume internationally.

Activities of the likes have a negative impact on the business community since it begins to create a problem when tourist stop coming to our shores or begin to visit less, Dr. Friday added.

Since the commencement of the tourism season a total of 27, 500 yachts visited our shores.

Hon Leacock

The Hon Major St. Clair Leacock, Vice President of the New Democratic Party (NDP) says he does not see how a society can leap from zero to a national hero.

He said on closer reflection on where the country is going and as a society very little has been done in terms of national awards. Major Leacock pointed out that in the nearly twelve years that the Unity Labour Party (ULP) has been in office no recognition has been given to teachers, nurses, police, agriculturalists, business people, vendors and other sectors.

How can you attempt to build a nation state without even attempting to recognise the very blocks used in building the nation? Major Leacock asked.

The Hon. Major St. Clair Leacock says at present he has difficulty with the building of the National Heroes case.

Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves will today deliver a lecture a public lecture on the topic, “The making of a National Hero: The law and practice in St. Vincent and the Grenadines”.

Competitiveness;
Appropriate Macro-Economic Environment;
Governance;
Capital Mobility;
Rising Poverty levels and
Vulnerability to natural disaster.

In pursuit of the above, we commend the International Labour Organisation (ILO) recommendations concerning the general conditions to stimulate job creation in small and medium sized enterprises (SME’s).

We identify the more salient features as:

Recognizing the need for the pursuit of the economic, social and spiritual well-being and development of individuals, families, communities and nations;
Being aware of the importance of job creation in small and medium-sized enterprises;
Noting that small and medium-sized enterprises, as a critical factor in economic growth and development, are increasingly responsible for the creation of the majority of jobs throughout the world, and can help create an environment for innovation and entrepreneurship;
Understanding the special value of productive, sustainable and quality jobs;
Recognizing that small and medium-sized enterprises provide the potential for women and other traditionally disadvantaged groups to gain access under better conditions to productive, sustainable and quality employment opportunities.

As such, we will seek to adopt measures which will promote the fundamental role that small and medium-sized enterprises can play as regards:

The promotion of full, productive and freely chosen employment;
Greater access to income earning opportunities and wealth creation leading to productive and sustainable employment;
Sustainable economic growth and the ability to react with flexibility to changes;
Increased economic participation of disadvantaged and marginalized groups in society;
Increased domestic savings and investment;
Training and development of human resources;
Balanced regional and local development;
Provision of goods and services which are better adapted to local market needs;
Access to improved quality of work and working conditions which may contribute to a better quality of life, as well as allow large numbers of people to have access to social protection;
Stimulating innovation, entrepreneurship, technology development and research.

In order to create an environment conducive to growth and development of small and medium-sized enterprises the NDP will:

Adopt and pursue appropriate fiscal, monetary and economic policies to promote an optimal economic environment;
Improve the attractiveness of entrepreneurship by avoiding policy and legal measures which disadvantage those who wish to become entrepreneurs;
Provide for all enterprises, whatever their size or type equal opportunity as regards, in particular to access credit;
Promote observance by small and medium-sized enterprises of international labour standards related to child labour;
Remove constraints to the development and growth of small and medium-sized enterprises, arising in particular from:

Difficulties in accessing capital markets;
Low levels of technical and managerial skills;
Inadequate information;
Low levels of productivity and quality;
Insufficient access to markets;
Inappropriate, inadequate or overly burdensome registration, licensing, reporting and other administrative requirements, including those which are disincentives to the hiring of personnel, without prejudicing the level of conditions of employment, the effectiveness of labour inspection or the system of supervision of working conditions and related issues;

Include specific measures and incentives aimed at assisting and upgrading the informal sector to become part o the organized sector.

Development of an Enterprise Culture

The New Democratic Party will adopt measures drawn up in consultation with the most representative organizations of employers and workers, to create and strengthen an enterprise culture which favors initiatives, enterprise creation, productivity, environmental consciousness, quality, good labour and industrial relations, and adequate social practices which are equitable.  We will actively be engaged in:

Pursuing the development of entrepreneurial attitudes, through the system and programmes of education, entrepreneurship and training linked to job needs and the attainment of economic growth and development, with particular emphasis being given to the importance o good labour relations and the multiple vocational and managerial skills need by small and medium-sized enterprises;
Seeking, through appropriate means, to encourage a more positive attitude towards risk taking and business failure by recognizing their value as a learning experience while at the same time recognizing their impact on both entrepreneurs and workers;

Encouraging a process of lifelong learning for all categories of workers and entrepreneurs;

Designing and implementing, with full involvement of organizations of employers and workers concerned, awareness campaigns to promote:
respect for the rule of law and workers’ rights, better working conditions, higher productivity and improved quality of goods and services;
entrepreneurial role models and award schemes, taking due account of the specific needs of women, and of disadvantaged and marginalized groups.

Creation of linkages between national and international bodies and institutions that are involved in the development of small and medium-sized enterprises, including organizations of employers and workers, in order to facilitate:
exchange of staff, experience and ideas;
establishment of international partnerships and alliances of small and medium-sized enterprises, sub-contracting arrangements and other commercial linkages.

The measures that have been identified to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are:

To improve the Institutional Support System;
To facilitate accessibility to financing;
To upgrade technological skills;
To enhance market access;
To promote the greater usage of information and communication technology;
Develop a competitive advantage within the framework of the CSME;
To increase awareness of product branding and protection of Intellectual Property Rights.

In promoting and upgrading SMEs, efforts will be intensified to assist entrepreneurs to improve their skills in:

Business management;
Information and Communications Technology;
Research and Development;
Product Development;
Marketing;
Strategic Alliances.

To enable SMEs in rural industries to penetrate external markets, efforts to enhance their competitiveness will be introduced and effectively implemented.  SMEs in rural industry processing will use appropriate technology, acquire quality accreditation and upgrade market promotion by establishing links with corporate and international clients.
The NDP will initiate the strategic concept of “one district, one industry.”  Development planning and strategic land usage via zoning will be implemented through public consultation as a basis for ensuring optimal location of activities.

Dr. Lewis said he wants Vincentians to ponder upon the man who calls Vincentians learn helpless, as if he is the only one in the country that is learn helpful.

Dr. Lewis called on the Prime Minister to desist from referring to Vincentians in such a degrading way, adding that he is oblivious as to why some Vincentians tolerate this nonsense from Dr. Gonsalves.

With a tone filled with venom Dr. Lewis stated that he is tired of the type of governance shown by Dr. Gonsalves who probably has never won a marble game. “It is time for you as Prime Minister to in still confidence in the people instead of an atmosphere of fear which is being done everyday, Dr. Lewis further stated.

“If you were learn helpful as you project yourself then St. Vincent and the Grenadines would not be in the state in which it is today with seven years of deficit budget with no policy of how and when the country will get out of it”, Dr. Linton spat in a tell it as it is style.

Dr. Lewis encouraged Dr. Gonsalves to resign his office and allow the New Democratic Party, which is the only party currently that can lift St. Vincent and the Grenadines out of the miry clay.

Private Sector Development will draw upon private investment, which is a proven engine for economic growth and poverty reduction.  In order to foster Private Sector Development, the NDP seeks to focus on creating an attractive investment climate.

Private Sector Development has many benefits for the St. Vincent and the Grenadines economy.  It will expand economic development and support a sustainable source of revenue – tax and otherwise – that will fund strategic social programmes.  Private Sector Development will become a nucleus of employment and therein accelerate the process of socio-economic development

Private Sector Development will improve the lives of our people, whether directly or indirectly.  It will expand the variety of goods and services available and reduces their cost, to the benefit of consumers.

Improving the Investment Climate

The opportunities for firms to invest productively, create jobs, and expand – is the key to fostering Private Sector Development.  This is intrinsic to establishing sustainable progress towards attacking poverty and improving the standard of living for all Vincentians.

The New Democratic Party recognizes that improving government policies and behavior will not only shape the investment climate and drive Private Sector Development, it will also drive overall economic growth and improve opportunities for everyone.  We will therefore provide a range of incentives and supports to encourage Private Sector Development and above all, create the stable and predictable macro-economic and social environment that will encourage investment.

We will eliminate red tape and restrictive bureaucratic practices and processes in the public sector, and develop a facilitative and responsive public sector.

We must ensure that we put in place measures that promote competitiveness and growth in the private sector.  Private Sector Development that encourages growth will create sustainable jobs and opportunities for macro and micro-entrepreneurs alike.  Micro-economic development is one of the key pathways by which people can escape the trap of poverty.  We will give each person the power to shape their own destiny.

The resultant economic growth envisioned will also help to reduce the costs of goods to our citizens.  This is especially important to those who suffer the economic burden the most.  Private Sector Development shall contribute to an expanded tax base that will allow for investment in the health, education and welfare of all of our people.

Factors that shape opportunities and incentives for Private Sector Development

Government Influenced    Non-Government Influenced

Costs    Corruption
Tax structure
Regulatory burdens (Red Tape)
Infrastructure and finance costs
Labour market regulations    Market determined prices of inputs
Distance to input and output markets
Economies of Scale and Scope associated with particular technologies

Risks    Policy predictability and credibility
Macro-economic stability
Rights to property
Contract enforcement
Expropriation    Consumer and competitor responses
External shocks
Natural disasters
Supplier reliability

Barriers    Regulatory barriers to entry and exit
Competition law and policy
Functioning finance markets
Infrastructure    Market size and distance to input and output markets
Economies of Scale and scope in particular activities

Private Sector Development

Service Sector    Tourism, Finance, Information and Communication Technology
Manufacturing    Food and Beverages, Textiles, Furniture/household items
Micro-Enterprises    Arts and Craft, Skilled Labour/Artisans, Cottage Industries
Agriculture    Animal Husbandry, Agro-Processing, Horticulture

Benefits of Private Sector Development

Increased national incomes;
Sustainable employment;
Stable economic growth;
Competitive markets;
Higher standard of living;
Infrastructural development;
Wealth creation and distribution;
Consumer cost savings.

Main Goals

To increase the number of self employed persons through the creation of quality jobs.  This new work environment will produce new economic activities.

To increase the motivation and skills of the unemployed in the rural area.  To actively seek and create new employment opportunities within their own communities.

To ensure an equitable distribution of wealth through all sectors of the national economy.  This will lead to a reduction of poverty and the negative effects associated with poverty.

To empower people to trust in their own abilities and knowledge.  To learn the basic values and operating principles of business, thereby adopting a practical approach to the world of business.

Establishing the New Frontiers

The New Democratic Party recognizes the current international reality, indeed a new set of imperatives, against which background we must formulate our economic plans and managerial initiatives.

Everyone we believe now hears and even speaks of globalization.  Not all we are sure, however, can chart the appropriate course to improve productivity and competitiveness to face the global competition.

We are of the view that we need not, in all cases, re-invent the wheel.  The truth is much of the basic research has already been done for us.  The World Bank makes the point that we must move beyond decades of reliance on traditional markets and trade preferences into new sources of growth.

Your New Democratic Party, however, further argues for a renewed emphasis on a new approach to economic development, not just more of the same, but fundamentally different sets of endeavours.

In this regard, the NDP in diversifying the economy will recognize the pivotal role of information and communications technology (ICT) in transforming the Vincentian economy.  There must be greater emphasis on Resource Based Industries (RBI’s) as against the traditional Import Substitution Model (ISM).

We subscribe to the view that even in a hostile regional and international environment there are still benefits that can accrue from small size, for example:

Small quality production;
Focus on unique products e.g. arrowroot and nutmeg derivatives;
Niche markets e.g. for essential oils.