Efficiency is the key for government agencies

ECONOMIST Dr. Arnold McIntyre is suggesting that one of the critical aspects of a growth strategy going forward is for government agencies across the region to become more efficient.

He said that right now while there are too many regulations, the voluminous amount of it tends not to be implemented efficiently.

Dr. Arnold McIntyre.

Some of the those present at the Central Bank function.

According to him, “That is frustrating a lot of transactions and that’s making them more costly than they need to be.”

McIntyre, who is Programme Co-ordinator at CARTAC, made brief remarks at one of the sessions of the Central Bank of Barbados’ 33rd Annual Review Seminar. That seminar took place over three days at the Radisson Aquatica hotel, with some of the sessions having looked at economic growth strategies for the Caribbean.

“Notwithstanding that we still have a fair amount of capital flows going on between the private sector in the Caribbean,” said Dr. McIntyre.

He reasoned that if there was greater efficiency “you might get even more private enterprises”.

“So identifying one of the core areas of public sector reform needed to facilitate and support investment be that domestic or foreign, I think is a critical aspect of any growth strategy,” according to him.

The economist made the point also that even regional efforts are being stymied by not facilitating the movement of people whether these be guest worker programmes or whatever, or facilitating the movement of skills.

He felt that the Caribbean has to use information technology far more than is the case at present in the delivery of public services. He believes that is another key aspect of a growth strategy for the region.

Dr. McIntyre added that more has to be done in enhancing more re-investment in tourism.