Caribbean Export OUTLOOK 3rd Edition

Pulse of the Caribbean 34

e-Commerce Accessible technology and implementing the frameworks necessary to use it, remain critical components to moving the Region’s development agenda forward, and boosting our ability to trade, particularly as it relates to e-commerce, which PM Mottley believes must be prioritised on the Regional agenda. While finance ministers across the region failed to meet over a five-year period to discuss these issues, she is satisfied that governments are beginning to recognise the need to prioritise them. The Council for Finance and Planning, which is responsible for economic policy coordination, financial and monetary integration of CARICOMMember States met in July 2018, in Jamaica. Women in Business + Politics Across the Region, as we work to improve on the areas where we’ve fallen short, or have been behind the curve with our development, it’s also necessary to take a moment to acknowledge and applaud our gains, one of them being increasing female representation in business, and positions of power. PM Mottley is Barbados’ first female prime minister, and the Region’s fourth. Having first entered politics in Barbados at the age of 26, and appointed to cabinet at 29, she became one of the youngest Barbadians ever to be assigned a ministerial portfolio. There is still muchwork to be done on the gender equality front, but her election this year, is undoubtedly a win for young women and girls across the Region. Her journey has been hard-fought, and not without immense obstacles, so the advice she shares with aspiring “girl bosses” throughout the Caribbean, and even the world, is well worth receiving. In addition to a stellar team, she credits a strong sense of self, and a refusal to be swayed by negative commentary for her success. “Stay focused” , she said. “And never allow others to occupy valuable real estate in your head.” “Remember why you came in. Remember who you came to help. And understand that if what you are looking for is immunity from commentary and criticism, it will not happen,” she shared. “Criticism that… relates to policy is to be welcomed, because it helps us to be better, but never allow ad hominem attacks to prevent you from coming into your purpose, because if you allow people to intimidate you into inaction, you forfeit your right to participate in this life.”

The Honourable Mia Amor Mottley, Q.C., LL.B., Prime Minister, Minister of Finance, Economic Affairs and Investment, Minister of National Security and the Civil Service

Criticism that… relates to policy is to be welcomed, because it helps us to be better, but never allow ad hominem attacks to

prevent you from coming into your purpose...

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