My fellow Barbadians, even at the risk of sounding like your leader, I must address you on a significant development in our Caribbean family.
In a few short days, on October 1, we will take a bold and historic step forward with our brothers and sisters in Belize, Dominica, and St Vincent and the Grenadines. I hear the conversations on the airwaves and in our communities. I hear the questions, and I understand the concerns that come with any momentous change.
But I want to be clear: this is not a leap into the unknown. This is the next logical step in a journey we have been on for generations.
For decades, we have been a beacon in the Caribbean, and our people have been its builders. Ask the leaders of any nation in our region, and they will tell you of the Bajan teacher who educated their parents, the Bajan police chief who structured their force, those who worked in oil and agriculture sharing distinct knowledge and skills or the Bajan artist who inspired their culture.
And in turn, think of the countless contributions made to our own society by the CARICOM citizens who chose to call Barbados home. Our history is not one of isolation, but of proud and powerful exchange. Free movement is not a new policy; it’s the name we are finally giving to a road our families have travelled for a century.
Today, this journey is more critical than ever. Our own prime minister has wisely told us that for our economy to grow, ‘the math ain’t mathing.’ With an ageing population, the simple reality is that we need more ambitious, working-age people to contribute to our economy and secure our National Insurance Scheme. This isn’t a burden; it’s our lifeline.
And this is a two-way street to prosperity. For the first time, Bajan entrepreneurs have a clear path to invest in the rich farmland of Dominica or the vast potential of Belize, a nation 60 times our size. This is our chance to finally tackle our national food security, led by Bajan vision. It is our opportunity to expand our wealth and our horizons.
I want to assure you, this step is taken with the utmost seriousness for our security. Since 2007, a robust, high-tech regional security system has vetted every person travelling between our countries, ensuring that our Caribbean family remains safe.
October 1 is not a day to fear. It is a day to embrace our legacy of leadership. It is the day we choose a future of growth over stagnation, of opportunity over isolation, and of family over fear. Let’s not just witness this historic moment; let’s lead it, together.
Julian Rogers, from my home in Belize.
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