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ENERGY
Safe, reliable energy products at the lowest possible
prices remains the anchor of our energy policy. While
we will continue to ensure the availability and efficient
use of petroleum products, we will also
vigorously pursue the development of renewable energy
sources.
Given the existence of the Caricom Single Market &
Economy, our energy policy will be geared to regional
realities and opportunities.
In pursuit of this, a BLP Government will:
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Increase production of petroleum both on-shore and
off-shore.
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Intensify the $30 million capital programme to double
the number of households with access to natural
gas (from the current 13, 000 to 26, 000)
- Reduce
taxes on energy products to match the lowest in
Caricom and improve Barbados’
competitive position.
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Create an Energy Stabilization Fund to neutralise
the volatility in energy prices
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Establish a Renewable Energy Centre
- Construct
an $80 million industry terminal as a hub for the
import and distribution of petroleum products
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Harness wind energy to produce approximately 7%
of our electricity.
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The first phase in this project will be the construction
of a 10mw wind farm at Lamberts, St. Lucy
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Participate in the proposed programme of the Government
of Trinidad & Tobago to extend their natural
gas resources to the region.
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Support representation to the Fair Trading Commission
for the abolition of the electricity fuel surcharge
in order to keep electricity prices low.
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Maintain the tax regime for the use of energy efficient
fixtures and appliances.
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Maintain the duty-free regime on diesel for manufacturers.
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Enact modern Energy Efficiency Legislation.
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Offer shares to the public in the state owned companies
in the energy sector.
INTERNATIONAL
BUSINESS
A BLP Administration will ensure that Barbados becomes
the premier centre for the production and export of
competitive high quality services in CARICOM and the
wider hemisphere. Our aim is to
achieve a growth rate for the sector of about 5% per
year with a substantial increase in employment. In
maintaining the dynamism of the financial services
sector we will also seek to diversify the non-financial
and professional services sector.
A BLP Government will:
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Support measures to reduce costs and increase capacity
in international telecommunications.
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Create a new incentive regime to encourage the export
of professional and cultural services.
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Phase the relaxation of exchange controls for businesses
engaged in export of services consistent with our
obligations under the CSME and FTAA.
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Provide incentives for the provision of foreign
language training and market intelligence
- Implement
an aggressive joint public/private sector marketing
programme, targeted especially at the insurance
industry.
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Expand the range of Double Taxation Treaties and
Bilateral Investment Treaties.
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Establish a dedicated legal unit with the support
of the private and public sectors
to facilitate further development.
MANUFACTURING
Though facing unprecedented challenges, the manufacturing
sector will continue to be a major contributor to
national output as well as provide opportunities for
small and medium enterprises.
The
BLP government will:
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Encourage entrepreneurs to focus on production for
local and regional markets
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Provide protection consistent with our international
obligations.
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Expand the financial resources of the Industrial
Investment and Employment Fund.
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Expand the technical assistance programme established
at a cost of $15 million. This programme is designed
to enable enterprises to find industrial solutions
to industrial problems and lift themselves to world
class levels in areas
such as
- Productivity
improvements
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Attainment of international quality standards such
as ISO9000, ISO14000 and HAACP
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Intellectual Property protection for locally manufactured
products
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Corporate restructuring
- Provide
continued support for the 100% Bajan campaign and
extend its coverage. Government will lead by example
as a model purchaser in supporting local manufacturers
through the use of its buying power to expand the
market for locally manufactured products.
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Expand resources available to the recently created
Joint Public/ Private Export Trading Enterprise
to enable it to mount an aggressive export marketing
programme
TELECOMMUNICATIONS
The Barbados Labour Party Government has successfully
broken the Telecommunications monopoly which had inhibited
our growth as a centre for international services.
The recent grant of three new licences for the provision
of cellular telephone services marks the dawn of a
new day for telecommunications in Barbados.
The
Barbados Labour Party will
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Introduce competition in domestic and international
telephone services.
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Ensure that there is a wider range of telecommunication
services available to the public.
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