I know we don& #39;t like import duties in Barbados. But here& #39;s a small secret: that& #39;s the *entire* point. Policymakers want you to be so upset with the high costs that you decide to make as much of whatever you& #39;re selling right here in Barbados.

Yes, there are things that we& #39;ll never be able to produce here, but honestly as a country we& #39;re not even trying. The retail business of importing and selling is low-profit, low value-added, and can even destroy domestic jobs.

Every time you go to import something, ask yourself: "can I make this right here in Barbados?" Even if you& #39;re just assembling stuff, it& #39;s moving in the right direction. It& #39;s time to make, not buy.