Relaxation on curfew will give micro-enterprises to breathe: DLP

Thursday, 18th November 2021

The Democratic Labour Party's Spokesperson on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Ryan Walters, welcomed relaxation over curfew by saying this would grant some breathing room for micro and small businesses to initiate to dig themselves from the brink of collapse. The Democratic Labour Party (DLP) is pleased that many small businesses, whether directly or maybe indirectly, will finally receive some much-required breathing space with the relaxation of the curfew. He added, "We hope that further action will proceed at a steady rate as it has been a rocky road for micro and small companies that have been paralysed by limitations and sidelined by the administration for 18 months." Ryan Walters's further statement: These companies have survived on their might, managing few resources and significantly reducing sales. We sincerely hope that this will give them the boost they need to dig themselves out of their dire fiscal situations. Small operators have experienced low levels of income or none at all, and they have been struggling and left out in the wilderness. Being able to open longer and for some to open for the first time in months will drive the recovery process. The DLP has consistently lobbied for support to the sector, most of which has fallen on deaf ears. We have continually highlighted to the government the contribution micro and small businesses make to our economy. Once this relaxation is sustained, we can expect more job opportunities to be created. The Party also anticipates that spending power will increase with the night economy opening up as more persons find jobs. Still, current employees will earn more money under increasing working hours. The Barbadian economy will benefit as larger businesses increase revenues as micro and small enterprises purchase goods from them. The Government will increase its tax revenue, National Insurance professes, and the reliance on welfare programs will continuously drop over time. The positive spin-off effect is confirmed. The DLP will continue to highlight the importance of the micro and small commercial sector and will bravely lobby for support financially and otherwise. More importantly, we will continue to call on the government to clearly outline a path for sustained development, something they are yet to do, he added.