IT IS ONCE AGAIN THAT TIME OF YEAR
December 15, 2005
EDWARD A. HARRIS AT LARGE!!
IT IS ONCE AGAIN THAT TIME OF YEAR
BUT THIS TIME IT IS BOUNTIFUL!!!
Silver bells, hear them ring, it is Christmas time in the city! Do you hear what I hear? Do you see what I see? Around the world, people of goodwill, get together at this time of year firstly to thank their Heavenly Father for spared lives and secondly to celebrate the joy of the festive seasons. Love fills the air. It is a time to reflect on the year that is fast heading to a close and for us begin to look toward the new year, armed with resolutions to make the coming year, better than the one that will be no more at midnight December 31, 2005. The year 2005 will be a memorable year, a year when the Caribbean reversed the negative trend and many positive things are beckoning us.
For the people in the Caricom area of the Caribbean and Guianas, the first day of the year 2006 holds special significance for us as we venture into a new relationship which has been in the making for several years, much too long. The Caricom Single Market and Economy – CSME will become reality, although not in its entirety. What was intended to be an economic and monetary agreement will in the first phase be an economic one with the monetary aspect set for 2008. Many held the view that the initiative might have been postponed but all seem set for the January 1, 2006 implementation date to be kept even with the absence of Grenada which has not been able to remove all its restrictions that will prevent its participation at this time. It is likely that others may find cause to postpone their involvement at this time but a major fall out was averted with Trinidad coming to the rescue of the important Development Fund which is intended to assist vulnerable States and regions in equipping themselves to face the hostile competitive environment that would be unleashed upon the small States within the region when CSME is implemented.
As the CSME implementation date draws nigh, it is that time of year when the Caribbean comes alive with the celebrations for the festive season. Caricom citizens do have something special to celebrate. The CSME officially puts in place what the people of the region looked forward to for years, freedom to move capital and skills around the region for the benefit for all its peoples. A new day will dawn on January 1, 2006 when all businesspersons will have the right of establishment within any State in Caricom. Some people are scared at the thought that a man or woman arriving from Trinidad with a roti pan can establish a business in any island he or she chooses. What a development! While it seems so simple, it is very challenging to note that the cultural aspect in relation to foods in several countries is yet to be tasted around the region. It is hard to imagine that corn soup and doubles from Trinidad, and a good pot roast, and peas and rice from Jamaica are yet to be seen on the streets of St. Lucia.
While the novelty of the CSME experience sinks in small hotels and guest houses will benefit from the movement of small business people and university graduates seeking opportunities in greener pastures. We must be prepared for the initial rush of persons to countries like Barbados, Trinidad and St. Lucia. It going to be a gold rush in the initial stage for opportunities which after a few months will simmer down when reality hits home, then the search will be over with many returning to their country of birth.
The greatest benefit in all this is the transfer of skills, sharing new ways to do things. It will also open up opportunities for cross border direct investments and joint ventures. This will result in some cases as a direct result of businesspersons who were happy to remain at home without going into new markets in response to pressure of reduced market share. It is interesting to note that the real Entrepreneurs in our midst are already sizing up territories for expansion as early as the first quarter of 2006. Today, we hear Distributors talking about regional distribution requesting expanded territories sometimes to cover the whole region. No longer can businesspersons be satisfied with only playing at home, they must now play in the international arena.
I feel the excitement of CSME. I am thinking about setting up satellite companies around the region. My business model will be Multi Level Marketing commonly referred to as Network Marketing. In preparation for the launch of CSME I am launching my E-book entitled “Show me the Money in MLM/Network Marketing†This is my Christmas Free Gift to my readers. Request your copy at Email: NoFreeMoney@gmail.com My other business will be promoting new businesses on behalf of clients who wish to expand across borders and while working in these two areas I would add a Commission Agency where I will broker anything for a commission. My Real Estate business should come into its own as people move around from country to country. The property rental business is going to be booming. People can get real busy by just establishing relationships, exchanging services.
It is timely that Coalition of Service Industries is being established around the region. There are many opportunities for franchising. It is time for Caribbean Entrepreneurs to spearhead a MLM/Network Marketing Company to promote indigenous Caribbean products to the world. A lot could be said against MLM companies and direct selling but there is no other business system that has made so many millionaires as MLM. The statistic of failed companies in the MLM business is staggering but so is divorce. People continue to marry and many succeed at it with outstanding success stories so it will be when genuine Entrepreneurs from the Caribbean put their heads in the right place to take on the world.
The future for our small Caribbean States has never been brighter but that depends on who you speak with or who you listen to. This is the age of innovation. This is the age of knowledge. This is the age of catching a trend and riding the waves. This is not a time for complacency, it is a time for action. It is a time to be passionate about gaining your financial freedom. For many it could be a time of sweeping changes in our economic and social fortunes. The opportunities are for all of us but unfortunately everyone will not be an active participant.
The incumbent Labour Party Government in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines was returned to office. It is now one down and two to go – Guyana and Saint Lucia, and the results will very much be the same. I believe that Cricket World Cup 2007 has brought life and light to the Caribbean and Guyana. A new energy has engulfed us and it just couldn’t be a better time as we launch CSME which will further stimulate the economies of nations in the region by promoting the free movement of capital, and skilled and professional labour guaranteed by the right of establishment. A new day has dawned for the people of the region. Though many may not see it as a blessing at this moment, in time the benefits will be reality in the lives of those who will live to experience it, and my friends the wait will not be long. Everything is in place for a very dynamic period of engagement across the region.
Let us celebrate this Christmas in all its splendour with thankful hearts. There is a lot to be thankful for. Be Happy! A Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year to all my Readers and may God bless you all Abundantly. Let’s sing because we HAPPY!!!!
Keep the Faith – God is in Charge!!!
Edward A. Harris
Eaharrisdestiny@gmail.com