Healthcare SYNERGIES

Science and Technology are advancing Human Health. From birth to death, conception to demise, data records and modern technology, are providing essential intelligence to better every condition of life. With growing knowledge of DNA, RNA and Protein forming genes (the base of all life), scientists have and continues to improve wellness and healthcare.

Advancing Nutrition through better Agriculture and improving Basic Life Support and Primary Healthcare requires #SYNERGIES. Nutrition, the study of nutrients and its effects on health is well developed and constantly evolving to impact human, animal and plant life.

 Agriculture, the cultivation of spaces and breeding of animals and plants, is also well developed and continuously expanding to provide better nutrients. Lifesaving actions, first aid and basic life support, are essential in cases of trauma and maintaining healthy lives involves, routine and preventative, Medical checkups, which are to explore for the first signs of illness.

Economic Drivers 2018

(An extract from Foreign Direct Investment 2018)

Operating on 5.90% of the nation’s total expenditure, as reported by the office of the Auditor General 2016 and 4.39% in the 2017 revised estimates, while estimating 3.84% for 2018 down by 13.44%, as published by the Ministry of Finance. Economic Drivers are administered by the Ministries of Energy and Energy Industries, Agriculture, Lands and Fisheries, Planning and Development, Foreign and CARICOM Affairs, Labour and Small Enterprise Development, Trade and Industries, and Tourism. The nation's revenue, to offset its total annual expenditure, comes from the collections of taxes, duties and royalties; taxes on (personal income) salaries and wages, on (consumption) sales and value added, on (operations) business levy and green fund, on (corporation) profits, etc. Such revenue generating activities are encouraged and facilitated via Economic Drivers, which designs, implements and reviews the conditions for investment, employment and, the resulting, taxation.

Foreign Direct Investment 2017

As global Politics grapples with issues surrounding Open Markets versus Close immigration, investments are kept and driven into the largest economies, which have the strength of market size and numerous trade agreements, increasing access and influence, to record superior returns. Small economies, with much the same issues, have the advantage of granting greater access to decision-making, so investors, far removed from board rooms in large economies, are invited in, to participate, in small economy decisions and development, guiding their own returns on investment (ROI).

Economic Drivers 2017

(An extract from Foreign Direct Investment 2017)

The nation's revenue, to offset its total annual expenditure, comes from the collections of taxes, duties and royalties; taxes on (personal income) salaries and wages, on (consumption) sales and value added, on (operations) business levy and green fund, on (corporation) profits, etc. Such revenue generating activities are encouraged and facilitated via Economic Drivers, which designs, implement and review the conditions for investment, employment and, the resulting, taxation. Operating on 5.48% of the nation's total current expenditure budget, Economic Drivers are administered by the Ministries of Energy and Energy Industries, Agriculture, Lands and Fisheries, Planning and Development, Foreign and CARICOM Affairs, Labour and Small Enterprise Development, Trade and Industries, and Tourism.

Infrastructure Management 2017

(An extract from Foreign Direct Investment 2017)

It has been long realized and accepted that Infrastructure Management directly affects productivity; outputs driven by comfortable and safe work and play spaces, such as; water and electricity, industrial parks, administration offices, community centers, open parks, transport hubs, roads and bridges, etc. Utilizing 19.97% of the nation's total annual allocated expenditure to maintain and expand public spaces, the Infrastructure Management category consist of the ministries of Public Utilities, Works and Transport, the Tobago House of Assembly, the ministries of Rural Development and Local Government, and Housing and Urban Development.

No small BUSINESS

For numerous years, I have stated that size, Big or Small, does not matter in terms of business success. Back in the 1980's while delivering many talks on starting your own business, the mainstream media called such advice; becoming self employed or managing a small business. In the 1990's Government programs adopted the most commonly known titles; small business grants and loans, to promote its socioeconomic assistance. By the decade of 2000, I truly believed that it was much more widely accepted that a strong plan with sound market fundamentals and correctly calculated financial projections addressing relevant risks, was the root to determining the most efficient size and model of business operation and would lead to eventual success. In addition, 2010 I founded the Society for Entrepreneur and Economic Development (SEED) to better understand and support business growth. 2011, I leant my skills to structure a Governmental initiative; Enterprise Development through Business Incubation Policy Document, to incubate ideas into industries.

Selling State Assets

There is no need to dispose of state owed assets, new listings on the stock exchange can bring much needed cash into the treasury without losing the assets' future earnings capabilities, at the same time, forcing greater efficiencies by adding more regulations from the Securities Exchange Commission. Protecting employment, both Workers and Management jobs in line with performance, from threats associated with state funding and offering Investors peace of mind as to future annual returns.

Less Tax More Jobs

Investment Opportunities only exist if it can produce returns on investment (ROI), after paying its legitimate obligations. It must offer Capital Gains – growing the investment value and Dividends Payouts – paying for the use of the investment funds, generating a competitive yield. Such Investment Opportunities create employment; salaries and wages along with its associated taxation, delivering on individual management contracts and collective worker union agreements, similarly spawn other opportunities and donate to the society. These Investment Opportunities call on individuals and corporations, who, after many years of work, have retained excess savings or wealth, to participate in building operations, promising safer and greater ROI.

Data Driven Decisions

Drastic action is necessary, for nations to deliver improve living standards to its population, driven by Data from Births to beyond Deaths, to adequately and efficiently meet sustainable development requirements. A National Database, publicly accessible, with its backbone of registered births, which is linked to all aspects of life; Governance, Resource Preservation, Human Development, Infrastructure Management, Economic Drivers, Fiscal and Monetary Policy, to calculate the best use of resources.

Economic Drivers (An extract from Foreign Direct Investment)

With energy and commodities international prices drastically declining and forecasted to fall even further, extractive industries especially petroleum exporting nations, must focus on other sectors and industries to generate its foreign earnings. A Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries, responsible for monitoring, controlling and regulating the energy and mineral sectors, developed over the last century, cannot easily be replaced as the main earner, but the effort to do so must start NOW! Not just by investment in renewables but through a mixed of economic drivers.

Infrastructure Management (An extract from Foreign Direct Investment)

In times of surpluses, savings and investments, especially in infrastructure should be expanded. In times of deficits, infrastructure must be preserved; efficiently utilized and maintained. The nation’s housing stock, buildings and general monuments, public utilities, works and transport, and other miscellaneous items needs urgent attention.

The Ministry of Public Utilities facilitates the effective delivery of efficient, affordable and quality public utilities services through a committed, resourceful team of professionals in close collaboration with all stakeholders. It provides meteorological information and advice consistent with international standards towards the pursuit of national, scientific, social, economic and cultural goals and sustainable development. It is responsible for the inspection and certification of electrical works. Directs and regulates the fare distribution of electricity, water and the management of waste through its allocation to and oversight of State Enterprises. And through its Community-based Environment Protection and Enhancement Programme (CEPEP), focuses on environmental protection, enhancement and beautification in communities.

Fiscal Policy (An extract from Foreign Direct Investment)

The people must appreciate, the nation, the state, the citizenry, the economy depends on sound fiscal policy, the means by which spending adjustments are made to bring it in-line with expected revenues to influence economic growth, controlled by the elected executive cabinet under the direction of the Minister of Finance. The Ministry of Finance (MoF) is primarily in charge of the national budget and the state of the economy; forecasting revenue and collections, approving and disbursing funds previously allocated to budgeted expenditure, negotiating borrowing terms and conditions within the authorized debt ceilings, retiring debt, and dealing with unforeseen expenditures, all to bring about a fair distribution of wealth or of sacrifice.

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.

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.

Minimum Wage

Educating the public, from a very young age, as to what is involved in a decent and acceptable standard of living, along with their collective and individual responsibilities to maintain, grow and develop their society. No one should be left behind; education must reach all, with meals and healthcare provided, and other social services to reach the most vulnerable. No one should be too far in front; taxing the richest ten percent of the population, will reduce immoral activities, and help finance social programs.

A standard of living that is firstly, made possible by marketable production, not just productivity for the sake of reducing unemployment statistics, generating revenue from the sale of goods and services that are financially viable to produce and is clearly in demand. A standard of living that is secondly, evenly divided geographically, across all preferred economic sectors and, more importantly, seen to be fairly distributed amount all in the society, building a majority of middle class citizens.

Choosing Associates

Every business must have a highly, confidential plan containing market intelligence and marketing strategies that gives an organization its competitive advantage. Addressing present market conditions, analyzing the market to spot viable opportunities and planning detail actions to respond to and win market share.

The Business Consultancy and Management Services sector is a multi-discipline, highly competitive field which, due to advances in technology, is no longer restricted by geographical borders and is presently experiencing growth across cultures, religions and many other social boundaries. Led by economists specializing in international marketing, seeking and identifying new and feasible opportunities, to win or increase market share. Followed by financial experts, involved in venture capital, private equity and other forms of mezzanine funding, who are in search of superior returns on investment, and supported by corporate lawyers and accountants, strategies are designed and implemented to penetrate, merge or acquire a market presents.

Hard Times

As major economies’ national budgets try to address existing high levels of debt, brought on by the essential financial sector bail-out and the current unsustainable growth in social programs investment, Governments must facilitate public sector reform. Effecting change toward higher efficiency levels, reducing waste and corruption, while increasing sustainable jobs, changes that politicians would instinctively avoid.

Poor wealth distribution systems have always encouraged people to seek power, political power with control of the public purse, to invest in strategies and programs that would benefit their supporters and keep them in power. Of course, the supporters of the group not in power, wishes to be and many recent elections have brought about that change. Reality, however, brings a different change, change to campaign promises, change in responses from assigning blame to taking responsibility and change from “Yes We Can” to “We are looking into it”.

Free Thinkers

It is societal issues, identifying problems and choosing solutions, that drives free thinkers not personalities, political parties, financial rewards or any other allegiances. This is the demographic politicians do not like and labeled swing voters. Independents; whose only thought is on securing a better future and vote on the issues. Security, education and healthcare, which are funded by taxpayers, whose jobs and business are dependent on growth in the economy.

Security, including well monitored social assistance and make work programs to help reduce poverty and petty crime combined with training in the discipline of choice, adequately funded with highly trained staff and well maintained and supplied police stations, court houses and prisons, driven by crime prevention techniques, strong laws and penalties, speedy detection and justice, a reconciliation philosophy and parole back into society. A well funded strategic plan to reduce crime, calls for policy decisions that strengthen on numerous fronts while reducing waste and corruption, is needed.

Money Migration

As many developed nations grapple with immigration issues, trying to protect their own social security and healthcare programs, underdeveloped nations are being targeted as financial engines of growth. From the sale of infrastructural works by specialty engineering firms to support services involving high technical equipment, development is good business offering high returns. Funded by inter and multi-national agencies, pooling money from donor countries under the premise that by developing a poorer country it will reduce illegal immigration from, and increase trade with, that particular country, to lay the necessary foundation for economic stability.

Private Equity

Bankers worldwide, faced with a growing public and political support for the inevitable separation of their conservative retail banking business from some of their higher risk merchant and investment operations, since the sub-prime mortgage crisis and the subsequent bank losses and failures, are testing business models that would maintain their profitability as well as meet the newly proposed legal or regulatory rules. One such proven model is Private Equity business.

A high risk, high return model which can and for all intents and purposes is needed to, within the new rules, invest in large scale development projects and ongoing business operations, that can independently raise debt financing from the surviving retail banks. With these new retail banks not being allowed to own a majority stake in any type of business, Private Equity allows the new bank to, with their own reserves, partner with high net worth individuals or other corporations, who would have been past customers of their merchant and investment banking operations, to equally invest as initial contributors. Hence, the new bank maintains its high return portion of its portfolio that is so important toward pleasing shareholders and competing for large deposits.