In the context of the Caribbean Single Market & Economy (CSME) and globalisation, there is probably no single issue that is receiving more attention from government, employers and the trade unions, than that of competitiveness. The lowering of trade and investment barriers in the 1990s has created new opportunities for countries, but at the same time, it has created challenges as well.

One such challenge relates to what Barbados as a nation needs to do in order to successfully compete in the global market-place, realize the potential gains arising from increased trade and investment and ensure that the maximum number of people benefit from the process through improved living standards.

The Productivity Council's mission to enhance the competitiveness of Barbadian and Caribbean enterprises through the application and dissemination of knowledge of productivity methods, will lay a pivotal role in achieving a sustained competitive advantage.

In this regard, there are several strategic developmental initiatives, which are deemed appropriate to achieving the objective of enhancing sectoral productivity and improving competitiveness.