‘Former administration missed the boat’

A move towards a Modern Competitive Post Colonial Economy could have been made by the former administration, as early as 17 years ago, as the European protectionism began to disappear from the region.{{more}}

This is according to Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, as he delivered a lecture on the topic at the Peace Memorial Hall on Tuesday evening.

“The changes in the real world came upon us, but with no coherent strategic response from St. Vincent and the Grenadines for the future.”

Dr. Gonsalves highlighted some areas where the NDP administration, under former Prime Minister Sir James Mitchell could have begun the transition from a colonial to post colonial economy.

He hinted that there was no proper preparation for the July 1st, 1993 loss of the protection from Europe for our bananas, and a number of grants gave a false sense of growth and security when the colonial economy was dying.

Gonsalves stated that the government of the time should have looked towards an ‘education revolution’ where persons could have been trained for other means of employment apart from banana cultivation.

He also said that the previous administration should have looked at improving air transport when there was a push towards tourism in the Grenadines.

The Prime Minister said that the supportive infrastructure was inadequate for tourism to grow, and that an airport to support jet aircraft from the region or internationally would have been vital.

Gonsalves said that the initiative by his administration to move forward with the education revolution and building an international airport, will bring St. Vincent and the Grenadines in line with a Modern Competitive Post Colonial Economy. (JJ)