An MP who created a beauty contest in her constituency has suggested that Barbados should place greater focus on developing the beauty industry as a driver of entrepreneurship, job creation and economic growth.
St Michael South Central MP Marsha Caddle told Barbados TODAY following the inaugural Art of Her: The Beauty of South Central competition at Solidarity House on Saturday night that the industry could play a larger role in Barbados’ economic growth strategy.
While the initiative was created to showcase talent, it also highlights an industry that generates significant economic activity worldwide and could create opportunities for more Barbadians, particularly women entrepreneurs.
She said: “As we head toward our 60th anniversary of independence, I feel like it’s time for us to start exploring other drivers of growth and drivers of growth that are ripe for investment and ownership by many more people so that more people can be a part of the prosperity of Barbados.”
Caddle noted that the global beauty industry is valued at approximately US$700bn annually and said supporting women entrepreneurs can have a wider impact on families and communities.
“We have to continue to invest in women’s capacities. We have to make sure that women are always controlling income because income controlled by women helps to contribute to the health and education of children and families.”
Caddle, the economic affairs and planning minister, said she hopes initiatives such as Art of Her will lead to the creation and expansion of more women-owned businesses within the industry, noting that efforts to improve the business environment are also underway.
The government is working with the Growth Council to identify between 25 and 50 high-growth companies that could help drive more inclusive economic expansion, said Caddle, adding that businesses within the beauty industry could form part of that group.
Caddle also pointed to opportunities for the beauty industry to support the development of other sectors, including film, entertainment and carnival.
“We hope to very soon have a Barbados film festival, for example. We hope to grow the film industry, not just with indigenous film creation here, but for film companies from other places to be able to come and film here and engage the talent here.”
The minister suggested that specialised makeup artistry, hairstyling and other creative skills could support productions while creating new employment opportunities.
“This is a sector that runs deep. It has potential for tremendous linkages to carnivals all over the world, to the film industry, to all the other parts of the creative sector. So I think that it is one that is worthwhile to invest in.”
While identifying sectors with growth potential remains important, Caddle stressed that improving the business environment will be equally critical to economic expansion.
She said the government’s focus includes reducing delays in planning approvals, improving access to financial services and creating a more competitive environment for businesses.
“Both government and the private sector have some work to do on strengthening and modernising what we do, and that is going to be a big focus of mine in the next months and years going forward.”
Caddle stressed that while the administration is working to identify high-growth companies capable of driving economic expansion, it is also supporting sectors such as the beauty industry, where there is clear potential for growth:
“I think that part of it is to be able to invest in sectors where there’s clearly an interest and there’s clearly capacity for growth, which is what we’re doing with the beauty industry.”
(LM)
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