2009-03-16

Minister Samuda Re-Affirms Commitment to Business Facilitation

Minister of Industry, Investment & Commerce, Hon. Karl Samuda has re-affirmed his Ministry’s commitment to promoting a seamless facilitation of business through the use of e-commerce services, and the removal of bureaucracy which could frustrate the manufacturing and export sectors. 

The Minister was discussing critical matters relating to his Portfolio on the JIS programme Issues & Answers. Mr. Samuda said he had pledged that in the first term in office his Ministry would “seek to reduce bureaucracy over which we have control by 50%.” To this end, he said, his Ministry has been working through the Target Competitiveness Committee to address those areas of bureaucracy which frustrates exporters and manufacturers.

The Industry & Commerce Minister said discussions are underway between his Ministry and various Government departments such as the Customs Department, Fiscal Services, and the Trade Board in an effort to establish, as quickly as possible, connectivity between the various departments. Once this is achieved, he said, the different sectors can do business electronically, rather than the old fashioned manual way.

For example, he said, the acquisition of a licence to do business would be more easily facilitated once the synergy between the various departments has been established. The Minister noted that this approach had been adopted in countries such as Singapore which is deemed to be one of the most business friendly countries.

The Industry and Investment Minister said the matter of building capacity was linked to creating a business friendly environment for those who wish to engage in productive activity.

On the matter of a stimulus package for small and medium sized businesses, Minister Samuda said Prime Minister Bruce Golding’s commitment of a 10% preferential treatment to small businesses represented a “very important move to stimulate that sector.”