Elizabeth Piper-Wade
Thursday, February 19, 2015

I know a country is it's people and the people are a representation of the country. Montserrat is no exception to that rule.
However I firmly believe that there should be more attention paid to the people in terms of economics; I am talking here about the entrepreneurs, small private businesses, local investors, some reputable NGOs and the likes.
Leaders however tend to think of the country as in the land and developing that, and not necessarily the people. They think of bringing in investors, giving them concessions and incentives all in the name of the country. 
While the aforementioned gets nothing but taxes and more taxes, higher utility bills and import charges.
There's the MDC; The Montserrat Development Corporation. Not sure, but I think this is what they were kind of set up to do - to help entrepreneurs set up, to help small businesses improve their business prospects and output with good and proper business planning and strategies. 
You know - Development. Of course I could be wrong regarding the MDC.
A Leader only thinks of the country in terms of the infrastructure that they are able to set up, how many outside deals they are able to make, all in their names during their term in office.
Like I said, a country is it's people. Our people are leaving every day for a so called better life. Our leaders seemingly are blind to this.
They cannot seem to conceptualize that if you invest in your people, the population would stabilize and even grow. 
Creating more revenue for the established, new and ventured private businesses. What kind of Investors do you hope to bring into this kind of economy that would really give it a boost as opposed to depleting it more? At the same time marginalizing the present businesses and aspiring business people.
These countries have some small millionaires who if were encouraged would not save their monies overseas for fear of taxes, but invest in the country and it's people/residents. They need to be offered the same treatment that is offered to the foreign investors. After all they reside here; they know the lay of the land.
Even the Diaspora who want to come back and make an input, or maybe just enlarge the population; they cannot return home without being charged an arm and a leg. So some of them have done an about turn.
The logistics and process of setting up any kind business of worth is enough to discourage, depress and stress an individual to not want to even try. 
While the Government offers mind blowing gateways to foreign investors. Is there a disparity or what?
Then they go and join all kinds of groupings that is said to bring the Islands together economically. Thereby we can all export and import from each other. Really?? Take a look at the imported goods.
Pick up any 5 items to include furniture, appliance, clothing, medications, food and building materials, stationery. All the amenities that we the people nowadays need to survive. Where are they made? 
Yes; and we amalgamating?? 
Strupps!
We should be putting our own house in order before we start inviting guests to partake.
When the people are doing well the country gets the good name. 
Likewise when a people suffer the country gets the blame.

So Leaders please keep that in mind when you are promoting country.‚Ä® Are the people doing well or suffering?
