These include the development of specialty products, particularly those that command higher prices in the international market and an emphasis on higher value-added products. Understandably, with the right to establish anywhere in the region, industries will gravitate to locations with abundant resources, with low energy costs and competitive wages.
High production costs, related to high wage rates, and a dearth of abundant natural resources place Barbados at a disadvantage vis-à-vis its CARICOM counterparts, in the production of most goods. This means that higher levels of productivity will be required of Barbados.