• It was part of a continuing process in which the small island developing
  states sought recognition for concrete measures to address their special
  concerns.
• Barbados will continue to be in the forefront of efforts to coordinate
  policies and approaches among the small island developing states.
• In successfully hosting a conference of this size and complexity, the
  largest of this kind ever held in a country of the size of Barbados, we have
  lived up to our reputation as a nation that can plan and implement big
  activities even with our limited resources. Barbados' reputation for sound
  planning, organisation and hard work has been reinforced.

Benefit

• The presence of the conference participants in Barbados, in some instances
  over a three-week period, had without doubt been of benefit to the tourism
  sector.
• The conference facilities at the Sherbourne Centre have been put to a most
  rigorous test of accommodating a global conference of the United Nations open
  to all member countries of the United Nations and its agencies, and to
  inter-governmental and non-governmental organisations.

Barbados now possesses one of the most well-appointed conference, convention and cultural facilities in the Caribbean. This will help to attract convention business to Barbados, thereby diversifying our touristic offerings. I have already begun to put arrangements in place for the aggressive marketing of the centre. I am proud of the way that we, as a people, handled the occasion and I would like to thank all those individuals and groups in the public and private sectors, including the architect, engineers, contractors and workers for their sterling contribution to this successful conference. Let us not be grouches now. Let us all say, congrats.

Turning to other issues, let me say that as far as the economy is concerned, we can be cautiously optimistic. After three years of declining output in 1990, 1991 and 1992, amidst the international recession, the return to positive economic growth in 1993 was most welcomed. And so far this year, total output in the economy has been encouraging with growth estimated at around some two to three per cent.

Water supply

As I predicted, tourism is the lead sector, showing a 12.3 per cent increase in tourist arrivals for January to April 1994, over the corresponding period in 1993, and cruise passengers showing a 12.8 per cent increase.

With respect to agriculture, it is estimated that predictions for sugar output will slightly surpass the target set at the beginning of the crop. But in the area of non-sugar agriculture, there appears to have been some decrease in production last year due to a series of special factors, including an extended period of drought. For the first quarter of this year, there has been an increase of 0.3 per cent.

And that brings me to the issue of our water supply. I need hardly say how very necessary water is for life. It is therefore imperative that all of us have access to a safe and reliable water system. It is the primary function of the Barbados Water Authority to collect water from our underground aquifers, store and purify it, and distribute to consumers. As our population increases, and as our society becomes more complex more water is demanded and consumed. Large portions of our water distribution system were laid many decades ago and are subject to leaks. Because water is relatively cheap, some consumers, not the majority, are not as careful as they should be with water usage, leading to wastage.

There is still much more work to be done in ensuring a steady water supply to elevated areas. So these are problems relating to the water supply system. We have built up over the years, one of the best water systems in this hemisphere, with over 92 per cent of households being served with piped water. Yet we have to be careful. We have to meter more services; we have to conserve more water; we have to do more leak detection; we have to develop additional sources of water, and we have to step up the public education programme.

This is a bold water development programme which will call for financial resources and skills to implement it. But there are limits to what we can do. If there is a prolonged drought and the underground aquifers are not readily replenished, neither I nor my Government can play God and cause the rain to fall. We are not Gods. It is folly to blame us for that. Furthermore, if the programme being called for by some had been implemented during the 1976 to 1986 period, we would not now have some of the problems complained of! Let us retain a balance and understanding of these issues.

The information services industry continues to be a strong area of growth in the economy of Barbados. Between January and March this year an additional 91 jobs have been created in information services, and a further 300 are expected to be created by the end of June. Most of these jobs are through expansions of existing companies such as Caribbean Data Services, R.R. Donnelley and National Demographics and Lifestyles. Furthermore, three new information services companies are currently in the process of setting up and are expected to start operations by July 1, 1994.

There is also a very encouraging trend in the growth of exports this year. Manufacturers appear to be now paying more attention to the importance of this aspect of their business.

From the public sector side, within the last two months, three new initiatives have been launched to increase our exports. One is for the export of Barbadian furniture to the Canadian market, and the other two are in services. One of these is seeking overseas contracts for 25 locally-owned information services operations, and the other is to promote and market the services of Barbadian architects.

On September 29 and 30 this year a major international conference on information services will be held at the Sherbourne Conference Centre. This will further permit the BIDC to enhance Barbados' image as a leading Caribbean player in the information super highway, and to target additional
companies to set up operations in Barbados.

In 1993 the industrial sector was stabilised and modest growth is expected in 1994.

The 8% case
Let me now turn my attention towards two other issues of paramount importance.

Quite recently the judicial committee of the Privy Council in London upheld the decisions of the Barbados High Court and Court of Appeal in the case of Gladwyn Ophelia King against the Attorney General of Barbados. This decision has finally established what we have been contending all along, namely that the action taken by the Government was necessary on socio-economic grounds, sound in law, and it was not unconstitutional as some were alleging.

The policies we implemented are now widely seen as correct, and they have worked. Furthermore, we are doing what we said we would do. The eight per cent cut in public servants' salaries have been restored, as we said would happen. And increments will be restored later in the year, as promised. A new bond of trust and confidence has been built up between Government and the people that is necessary for the development of all of us. Barbados is once again becoming competitive. The future looks promising.

The BTA affair
I now turn to another issue relating to appointments and disappointments in the Ministry of Tourism and the Barbados Tourism Authority and other Government entities. This is a matter which I had promised to talk to you about, and I do so now. One of the pieces of misinformation circulated is that I dismissed two Ministers of Tourism and two Boards in less than six months. This is simply not true.

The fact is that like all Prime Ministers in the past, I, in accordance with the authority vested in me by the Constitution of Barbados, chose to institute a genuine and long overdue reshuffle in my Cabinet last September. Not one, but a total of eight ministers were re-assigned to different
ministries and others given different portfolios. Indeed, I myself relinquished responsibility for the Ministry of Finance. None of my ministers was dismissed from the Cabinet. Cabinet reshuffles have taken place in Barbados for many years under different governments and for many reasons. That action is not questioned. It is the right of the Prime Minister in his judgment to make Cabinet changes or reassignments. Apparently, what obtains for others does not obtain for me. I then reshuffled again.

After I assumed responsibility for the Ministry of Tourism, I expected in the circumstances that the directors of the Barbados Tourism Authority would have placed their appointments at the disposal of the new Minister. That did not happen, and therefore events had to play themselves out.
The issue was no more and no less than that of who should be appointed as Chief Executive Officer of the Barbados Tourism Authority.

My policy was that the position should be filled by internal promotion, in view of the outstanding ability, qualifications, experience, and professionalism and record of service with the Tourism Authority and its predecessor body. The Authority felt otherwise. Since such appointments are made by the Authority, but with the approval of the Minister, either I had to go or the Authority had to go! I was left with no alternative but to execute my responsibility under the law.

At no time have I broken any laws of Barbados.

I chose as Minister to revoke the appointment of the members of the Barbados Tourism Authority and to appoint a new Authority. That Authority appointed Mr. Anthony Arthur as Chief Executive Officer with my approval. There was no other way to do it, in the circumstances. I have heard talk of dictatorship and despotism. Nothing could be farther from the truth. The three ministers who resigned over this issue were diametrically
opposed to the appointment of Mr. Arthur. I was equally convinced that Mr. Arthur's particulars eminently qualified him for the position.

They felt strongly enough on the matter to resign from the Cabinet. If their view had prevailed, I would have had on principle to resign, which is what the plotters and schemers would have dearly wished to achieve. Realpolitick, not the Sunday School game, indicates that a Prime Minister uses all legal instruments at his disposal to achieve desired and desirable objectives in such circumstances.

This matter can now rest. I hold no bitterness or enmity against anyone. At the same time, there are no scales on my eyes. I can see clearly now.

Hurricanes
Let me turn now to another matter. June is soon here and it is time that we consider the pending hurricane season and its implications. Barbadians have been fortunate over the years and we all thank God for that. But we must be prepared. This is the time to have roofs fixed and windows secured and to gradually stock up on supplies of canned goods, torch lights and a good first aid kit. It is also a time to make sure that our properties are insured and are fully paid up. I urge younger people with elderly parents living alone to ensure that their homes are secured and their insurances paid up.

Good luck, students
Finally, let me say words of good luck to all those children and young people who are getting ready to sit exams. I hope you have prepared yourselves adequately and I urge you to do your best. To those getting ready to leave school this year, remember that the job market is competitive, since the society has never been able to provide jobs for everyone who has need. Unemployment is still a major problem in our society. When you are called for an interview you should go prepared and seek to create good first impressions. It means therefore, that you should dress appropriately and be good mannered.

Let me thank all those organisations and individuals who have responded so quickly and efficiently to my Government's programmes. Barbadians of goodwill working together can yet create for Barbados its brightest day yet. But before that day can dawn, there is still a lot of work for all of us to do together. Let us settle down and experience the spirit of co-operation.

Understanding, interpretation, and leadership at all levels will be our guardians and our guides as we reach for the stars.

I thank you for your consideration.