President of the New Democratic Party(NDP), Dr the Honourable Godwin Friday, and his team spent the past week setting out theparty’s four pillars plan to build a growing economy that will create opportunities for
everyone to make a decent wage.
During the week, candidates were in their constituencies discussing the four pillars of the
economy plan with constituents. And on WednesdayTuesday 6th, they visited farmers,
fisherfolk and tourism sites around the country.
The four pillars of the economy: agriculture, tourism, the blue economy and the new
economy– under an NDP Government will drive economic growth and development.
The NDP wants to increase tourist numbers and the amount of money they spend. We will
ensure that the money is spent throughout the country so everybody can benefit from a
thriving tourism industry. To do this, local businesses will be partnered with major tourist
attractions and investment will go into training and amenities.
For 23 years under the ULP Government, there have been many opportunities to grow
tourism but have not been explored or properly negotiated, resulting in a lack of job
opportunities for Vincentians across the country.
During an appearance on radio, East Kingstown MP Dwight Fitzgerald Bramble said: “You
talk about Sandals providing jobs, but that is a drop in the bucket. We still have one in five
Vincentians who do not have a job. We have four in ten young people who do not have a
job.”
The new economy would benefit from a National Performing Arts and Cultural Center that
would build our home-grown talent. Also, a National Innovation Hub would promote
entrepreneurship and new businesses, while a National Development Bank would provide
funds at affordable interest rates to invest in building this sector.
During the ‘four pillars tour’, Dr Godwin Friday said: “The NDP will encourage innovation
and entrepreneurship by making it easier to do business. People will be able to set up their
own companies and avoid costly red tape and in so doing grow our economy.” He added
that investing in the four pillars of the economy and growing them will increase production
and lead to more exports and more jobs."
Reinforcing the NDP’s commitment to economic growth, MP Bramble noted: “The NDP
stands for an economy where everyone has the opportunity to make a decent wage.”
Throughout the week, the NDP also highlighted the extent of the unemployment crisis, which
the ULP Government has done nothing to address. One in five Vincentians are unemployed
and four in ten youths do not have a job. For those who have a job, they are being paid the
lowest salaries in the region.