Non-Financial Profits

Small business activities are seen by most economists as the engine to restore confidence and create jobs in the short to medium term. Driven by Government policies through incentives, both public and private lenders are encouraged to make a larger portion of their loan portfolio available to small operators. But most small borrowers lack the necessary asset backing to make them commercially viable and even with Government guarantees in place, such loans historically fail to perform, costing the lender more in administration expenses than the interest collected. To address these issues, lenders are promoting business services to assist in planning and reporting activities, to more closely monitor and quickly take action at the first sign of problems.

Legislating Morality

Society is a complex and robust set of rules and regulations, policies and programs designed to benefit a majority, while protecting minorities and individual rights. Morality is about doing the right thing but who defines right from wrong. A legislature, elected by a majority, to amend laws can only tighten loopholes, when discovered, but to build a morally based society requires each and everyone to consider one another’s opinions before taking actions. Every religion preaches love, understanding and consideration for each other, but in practice, society tends to ignore all minorities and the individual.

Eco Cities

This is not an attempt to fix all of humanities problems but a call to prioritize and direct resources to the best solutions. In a multiple action approach, Governments (we the people) must address; the elimination of depress areas, the improvement and preservation of a healthy educated population, the reduction of poverty and the creation of new employment opportunities. Hiding from long-term problems, which require sustained actions over numerous political terms, will not solve them. The best solutions are, approaches required side by side to the existing, to invest in new industries and sectors, surrounded by new and refurbished commercial and residential areas, participate in finding new and renewable energy sources, while addressing the effects of climate change, and using the new technology to increase food yields, purify water and reduce air pollution.

Trade & Investment Wars

The hope is to clarify any misconception that simply accompanying a head of state on foreign visits will lead to the opening of export markets or any other profitable arrangement. An organization, defined herein as a (Country) geographic territory bounded by laws or a (Company) group of individuals operating under bylaws engaged in for-profit or non-profit activities, and its (Goods, Services or Processes) products must have done the preceding and necessary academic and practical work. Identifying opportunities, describing the targeted market using current market data, adjusting the product offerings, employing scientific market testing results, building the organization’s image, competing for customers’ loyalty and guarding against espionage must all be address in the organization’s strategic plan. Respectfully, without these guiding policies and decisions on which actions are implemented, such visits are not only wasteful but are downright damaging.

Necessity, the mother of Action

Another reaction, by energy policy-makers of the Caribbean region, to the very predictable crisis of increasing energy (oil and gas) prices, at the end of a one-day Special Meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) held in Guyana on March 24, 2011. A media release acknowledged that the energy situation remained dire, for the net oil importing Members of the Community, given the recent surge in oil prices intensified by the ongoing political turmoil in the Northern African and Middle Eastern Region. “Having identified gaps and areas for strengthening, including those related to renewable energy and climate change issues, the Ministers mandated that the finalization of the CARICOM Energy Policy be expedited.