VALUE, GLOBALIZATION AND FREE TRADE

The quest for value is powerful, especially when that value is expressed as profits. This quest lies at the heart of globalization and free trade. Individuals and the corporations they create want to do things better, faster and further to increase their wealth. They want to operate globally. Those who create and innovate the world’s technology know that if they can help those individuals and corporations achieve their goals, they will be paid handsomely for it. This has driven rapid advancements in telecommunications, transportation and information systems. The result is globalization, the ability to operate across the globe in real time, somewhat suppressing time and space.

Technological advancements within the last twenty years have enabled many corporations, particularly multi-national corporations to produce their goods and services with such efficiency, that they can supply both local and foreign markets. In fact, they have been seeking to gain increasing access to foreign markets, having filled the needs of their own. Where foreign markets have been closed because of laws, policies or procedures put in place by foreign governments, individuals and corporations have pressed their governments to sign free trade agreements that open up those markets. This is modus operandi of the proponents of the free trade movement and the various economic integration efforts it has created such as the NAFTA, WTO, EU, MERCUSOR and the proposed FTAA.

While this may seem selfish and narrow minded, there are benefits that are broader. The fact is that in capitalist societies such as we have in the western world, basic needs must be financed. Education, health, security, housing and the like cannot be obtained without money. The vast majority of people in our socieities get money to finance their needs through jobs and those jobs are provided by corporations. Corporations can only provide those jobs as they fluourish. Generally speaking, the more the fluourish the more they are able to keep their employees employed and even create opportunities for others. Expansion means supplying a greater share of the market or finding new markets. Hence, the drive to access closed foreign markets. Business is not typically a charitable affair. The conscientious simply work to make it more charitable than not.

The Bahamas has always been subject to global developments. However, for many years it has not had to make any painful decisions in response to them or consider any formal arrangement to participate in their initiatives. It is this formal participation that is prompting the need for changes in a few but meaningful areas.

Free trade and globalization are related but not the same. Globalization is technology driven and is not the outcome of the direct decisions of governments. With or without governments, the human quest to do things better, faster and on a wider scale, driven mostly by profit, will continue. We cannot consider joining or not joining globalization. We are already in. Our two major economic sectors, tourism and financial services, put us in. We must consider how we will maximize benefits from it and minimize losses from it under new rules of participation.

Free trade is another matter. Free trade is a direct decision by governments to open their markets to foreign participation. Joining a free trade agreement is a matter of sovereign choice. The FTAA, WTO and CSME are the most significant arrangements in which The Bahamas must now consider participating.

Remember value is critical. Those who cannot create international value will have tremendous challenges surviving much less excelling in the international market place. This is the quest for our nation, to generate that global value. We have done it in the past with tourism and financial services; we can do it again. It takes vision, leadership, planning, focus and determination. It starts with awareness. We must not be fearful. We must know what we want and learn what it takes to get it. Then we must do what we learn. This is not complicated. This is entirely possible for a people like ours.

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Bahamians have been eager to get more information about the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA), the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME) and what they will mean for The Bahamas. Now that information is available.

Who Moved My Conch? Understanding the Implications of Free Trade Agreements for the Bahamian Economy - By Zhivargo Laing

http://www.bahamasissues.com/images/who_moved_my_conch.jpg

Who Moved My Conch? discusses in plain, practical language how the FTAA, WTO and CSME will affect the products, markets and tax structure of the Bahamian economy.

Topics covered in the book include:

- What is free trade and how did it come about?
- What are the pros and cons of free trade?
- What is the FTAA and how will it affect The Bahamas?
- What could replace customs duties if The Bahamas joins the FTAA?
- What will the FTAA mean for Freeport?
- Will the FTAA mean free movement of labour?
- How can businesses prepare for free trade?
- What must the government do?
- What are the WTO and CSME and their implications for the Bahamas?


Book available at the following locations:

Nassau
Logos Book Store (Harbour Bay Shopping Centre)
Book World & Stationers (The Wongs Center on Mackey Street)
Nassau Stationers (Carib Road, off Mackey Street)
United Bookshop (Marathon Mall)
Christian Bookshop (Rosetta Street)
Faith Life Book and Music Centre (BFM, Carmichael Road).

Freeport
Bellevue Gifts & Supplies (Queen's Highway)
H&L School Supplies and Bookstore (Arcade Building Down Town)
Ucilla's Christian Supplies (Arcade Building Down Town)
LMR Drugs Company (West Mall Down Town)
Kelly's Freeport True Value (Yellow Pine Road).


To find out more information click here: http://www.pldsystems.com/

[QUOTE=Zhivargo Laing]VALUE, GLOBALIZATION AND FREE TRADE

I am greatful for this opertunity to voice my opinon about this subject and my personal thoughts of you Mr. Laing.
Let me start first by saying I'M VERY GLAD YOUR PARTY IS NO LONGER THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE BAHAMAS! I'm going to tell you why I think the FTAA is not in the best interest of the Bahamas. But first let me comment on a few things I disagree on with this post.
You said:

The vast majority of people in our socieities get money to finance their needs through jobs and those jobs are provided by corporations. Corporations can only provide those jobs as they fluourish.

Exactly what kind of jobs will these corporations bring us here in the Bahamas? I know that you guys have heard this many times before but it seems that your party didn't understand it then and probrably still don't understand it now, WE ARE TIRED OF RECIEVING DEAD-END JOBS HERE IN THE BAHAMAS. Can you assure us that these jobs are going to be worth our time or will they be only efficient enough for the massive and notorious amount of illegal immigrants that plagues our country.
You said:

Free trade and globalization are related but not the same.

See, this exactly the kind of response I expect coming from you. Do you think Bahamian people are too stupid to distinguish the difference between free trade and globalization.

Just so that you know, I will not purchase, read or reccomend that any sane minded person reveal any interest in this deceptive marketing. Get real man, you gots to be kidding me. I mean you are obviously jumping into this head first without knowledge of or considering the disadvantages this could mean to the Bahamas. You speak about the FTAA like it has been endorsed by the foresight of your crystle ball. Why should we read this book knowing that you favor the FTAA and will over exagerate the bennefits and underestimate its potential damages? What if companies are able to trade freely in the Bahamas. This means that our government will have to start taxing its citizens to make up for the absence of customs duties. There is a lot of work and preparation that goes into creating the blueprints of how taxation will be governed in the Bahamas. We never had to do this in the Bahamas before so do you actually think it will work like a charm? There will be hell to pay if we start this and is having trouble working out the bugs of a new system. And think about other investors coming here bringing in their goods for free to compete with the Bahamian business owners. There are lots of millionairs waiting for the opertunity to be able to take advantage of inferior business minded people. Not to offend my beloved Bahamian people but realisticly, imagine competing with an American based company who has connections with manufacturers that can get them goods at a great deal that the Bahamian businessman can't get. Plus what if these companies put our local businessmen out of business then decide to raise prices due to supply and demand. Don't say it couldn't and wouldn't happen because thats the way it is done in America. Do you actually think they wouldn't do it to us? I mean its a dream come true to be able to purchase good at very cheap prices, ship the goods to the Bahamas and sell them at a higher price than you would in the U.S. I don't expect you to understand this Mr. Lang because although you might seem educated, you were obviously fooled by the Big Boys of America who wants to push this weight upon us.
I pray that the FNM never win another election in the Bahamas. :realmad:

Zhivargo your thoughts on Globalizations are true your thoughts on Free Trade are true. But what does the Bahamas have to trade???? What can we supply to the world?
What will happen to the Mom and Pop operations if Free trade comes to the Bahamas? Oh yes that’s right the mom and pop will just have to up grade. So now you have a mom and pop hardware store that must now up grade to compete with Home Depot. Yea right Now that mom and pop are out of work you will want to tax them Yea right.
You know free trade would do my business very well, But not at the cost to the people of my homeland. Oh Island in the sun willed to me by my father’s hand.

On the other hand can we be like Cuba pretty much self-sufficient. The countries that are in the FTAA will push their people to vacation in the lands that are apart of the FTAA. As I understand FTAA when you sign on its their rules no exceptions.

Oh Island in the sun willed to me by my father’s hand.
If it comes to a vote, I would vote no at this time.

Vicki...you asked what we (the Bahamas ) have to offer,

Well how about Exuma, Freeport, Inagua, or Andros. Large amounts of land where large companies can come in and destroy the ecosytem. Pollute the water, soil, land, air, and then provide low paying jobs for for tedious, mundane tasks. You see anything and anyone below Florida, multinational corporations view as fools because they are able to blind the government heads by stating that what they want to do to our country is somehow beneficial. This procedure is known as the "RACE TO THE BOTTOM", where they come to the Bahamas and Caribbean to dump old crap or plastic junk, if you may, on it's people and sell for exorbitant prices. Now I don't know about you, but I don't see how polluting the land, and destroying natural resources (case in point, Atlantis and the coralreefs) is beneficial.

Yes, inorder to thrive as a nation, we need investment and some form of globalization, but I don't think to the extent of the FTAA, as the former government is trying to "push" on us. Remember we are a small nation, a small sucessful nation, and country such as ours ise readily open for bullying from larger nations such as the United States. Thus any decision to join the FTAA, I think will be fatal to many in the Bahamas, beit Mom & Pops stores or even larger stores like Kelly's.

But I do urge all to read as much as you can on the FTAA, we need to be informed citizens and knowledgeable about what may be the fate of our country. :bahamas:

I’m still in the midst of researching this FTAA situation for myself, but I’ve found quite a few excellent resources (http://www.stopftaa.org) - many of which warn smaller nations like The Bahamas about the questionable free trade agreement now being proposed as the “best thing since boiled fish and Johnny cake” by certain U.S. entities.

Information is power. With that said, the wrong information can thereby make one powerless. Coming from a corporate-driven governmental system such as the U.S., there is much that still needs to be learned about the FTAA, not just by the common people of our island nation, but also by the leaders, who will be the very ones to make the decision to join or not on behalf of the rest of us. They need to understand that the promises of prosperity and economic stability are merely quick fixes that will lock us into a situation where we might “gain the world, but lose our souls”.

The U.S. “powers that be” know that Caribbean nations are struggling financially. They also are fully aware that for some strange reason we have not developed an intellectual think-tank to provide a master plan for this region. CARICOM is our present attempt, but even that organization does not stand together completely in the face of “jeopardizing” our relationship with the "mas’ers" from the north *cough…coughaiti…cough*. Overall, the Caribbean has proven itself time and time again to be fairly malleable, all due to our lack of planning and foresight in creating a propensity towards self-sufficiency in this region. We need to realize that instead of trying harder to dig ourselves out of the “hole”, we need to jump out of it entirely, brush ourselves off and begin building our own global empires.

There is little doubt that our reliance upon North America will be used as the crowbar to pry open our mouths as we are force-fed this ingenious scheme to supplant our own growing industries with U.S. based ones (which have been actively functioning for centuries). Since we are currently ill-equipped to directly compete with the resources of a world superpower, the whole cycle of reliance then will be REINFORCED. Obviously a few of the major Caribbean players will be financially "rewarded", but in the long run we will be taking this region many years backward in our fight for true global respect and equality. This is, of course, presuming we value the FTAA's “quick money” over developing a stronger, more solid economic and financial base for future generations on our own terms. Based on recent trends (like our refusal to squash the LNG pipeline proposals outright) the FTAA looks like yet another bandwagon that The Bahamas may jump on, forgetting that there really is no room for smaller nations. All we really are right now is one of the horses that help to pull the wagon - satisfied with food, shelter, ample room to run around, a few occasional treats and someone to “take care of us”.

I have not read “Who stole my conch” as yet, but I will compare notes when I do. A decision as important as rejecting the FTAA should NOT be considered a partisan one. Anyone who thinks that way needs to seriously rethink the matter, because we are all in the same boat, whether it sails or sinks. If it is one time for the top leaders of our nation (from all parties) to come together, this is it. Even if the “numbers” deceptively add up, I hope that those involved in the FTAA analysis can look into the eyes of the youth of this nation and make the right decision, not the most economically appealing one.

Money is a new form of slavery, and distinguishable from the old simply by the fact that it is impersonal—that there is no human relationship between master and slave. (Count Leo Nikolaevich Tolstoi)

First of all I would like to applaud the replies from Yorick Brown, Bahamian Lady and Vicky. I was expecting to have someone jump down my throat with negativity lashing out at my opinions. Regardless of what others may think, I create my posts and threads without fear of anyones beliefs. This is what I call freedom of speach. That is a part of democracy. We need more people who will stand up for all Bahamians and not be afraid of the reactions of others. Let me state for the record in case any politicians or dignitaries are viewing this website, "I am neither intimidated nor respectful to any college educated or rich high-rollers in our society, country or even the world". So when you say something to the Bahamian people, know that you are talking to human being with souls who are neither beneath you or less of a person in the eyes of the Lord! Lookout for and respect your fellow countryman. Here in the Bahamas we need to be our brothers keeper and not just looking out for our own personal gains. Sometimes I get the feeling that the only people who cares about our little country happens to be a few of the members of this website. You can tell who they are by reading thier posts.

Let me state for the record in case any politicians or dignitaries are viewing this website, "I am neither intimidated nor respectful to any college educated or rich high-rollers in our society, country or even the world".

Respect needs to be earned, no matter what a persons education or income is.

But what makes a person educated, going to college? I know i never made it there, I guess I am a dumb poor white boy then :shaky:

JK

Over the last few weeks we have read with interest the comments of some Bahamians who are advocating the FTAA. What is very interesting is that in our view they have not examined the contents of the current draft agreement notwithstanding that they may have written books on the proposed agreement. We say this because upon careful read of the agreement, it has provisions that will obliterate the Bahamas such sign on to it.

One glaring provision is the right that investors would have to sue our government if they feel our laws prohibit or restrict their profits which could potentially bankrupt our country. This is nothing new as it is a feature of NAFTA. This simply means that laws that are designed for example to empower Bahamians and protect our environment will be challenged.

In fact, this agreement will change every single aspect of not only our economy, but our lifestyles. We say that we must not be hoodwinked by proponents of the FTAA who are seeking to line their own pockets but we must be responsible for those generations of unborn Bahamian who depending on us to bequeath a country worth living in as our fore fathers have done for us.

We say that since the country may be divided on this issue, the country should vote to decide if we should join or not. This is the only democratic way. We cannot allow this to be decided by special interest groups or persons who feel they know what is best for the country simply because they have been elected to serve or would have had an opportunity to attend pro FTAA forums and seminars. The former or latter does not make them an expert. Every one has the ability to read and research and we are convinced that if the majority of the Bahamas becomes aware of the FTAA provisions, it will be rejected out of hand.

We applaud the threads we have read so far in response to Mr. Laing. Joining is what he advocates...not joining is what it seems the majority of Bahamians want.

....What is very interesting is that in our view they have not examined the contents of the current draft agreement.....

Where can one get a copy of the draft agreement?

Zhivargo your thoughts on Globalizations are true your thoughts on Free Trade are true. But what does the Bahamas have to trade???? What can we supply to the world?
What will happen to the Mom and Pop operations if Free trade comes to the Bahamas? Oh yes that’s right the mom and pop will just have to up grade. So now you have a mom and pop hardware store that must now up grade to compete with Home Depot. Yea right Now that mom and pop are out of work you will want to tax them Yea right.
You know free trade would do my business very well, But not at the cost to the people of my homeland. Oh Island in the sun willed to me by my father’s hand.

On the other hand can we be like Cuba pretty much self-sufficient. The countries that are in the FTAA will push their people to vacation in the lands that are apart of the FTAA. As I understand FTAA when you sign on its their rules no exceptions.

Oh Island in the sun willed to me by my father’s hand.
If it comes to a vote, I would vote no at this time.

Where can one get a copy of the draft agreement?
Please see www.alca-ftaa.org for a view of the draft agreement

Vicki...you asked what we (the Bahamas ) have to offer,

Well how about Exuma, Freeport, Inagua, or Andros. Large amounts of land where large companies can come in and destroy the ecosytem. Pollute the water, soil, land, air, and then provide low paying jobs for for tedious, mundane tasks. You see anything and anyone below Florida, multinational corporations view as fools because they are able to blind the government heads by stating that what they want to do to our country is somehow beneficial. This procedure is known as the "RACE TO THE BOTTOM", where they come to the Bahamas and Caribbean to dump old crap or plastic junk, if you may, on it's people and sell for exorbitant prices. Now I don't know about you, but I don't see how polluting the land, and destroying natural resources (case in point, Atlantis and the coralreefs) is beneficial.

Yes, inorder to thrive as a nation, we need investment and some form of globalization, but I don't think to the extent of the FTAA, as the former government is trying to "push" on us. Remember we are a small nation, a small sucessful nation, and country such as ours ise readily open for bullying from larger nations such as the United States. Thus any decision to join the FTAA, I think will be fatal to many in the Bahamas, beit Mom & Pops stores or even larger stores like Kelly's.

But I do urge all to read as much as you can on the FTAA, we need to be informed citizens and knowledgeable about what may be the fate of our country. :bahamas:

Bahamian Lady keep on hitting the nail on the head. Don't think for 1 second I am for FTAA my concern is what happens to us if we don't sign on. Big brother to the north whom we depend on even for our independence might look somewhere else when things don't go their way. Then we won’t be so successful.
It is a case of dammed if you do and dammed if you don't.

Respect needs to be earned, no matter what a persons education or income is.

But what makes a person educated, going to college? I know i never made it there, I guess I am a dumb poor white boy then :shaky:

JK

I agree Rory respect needs to be earned. But we must respect all humans as equals or no one is equal. There is only 1 common thing every one in the Bahamas or the world for that matter have in common and that is we are all human.
Well I did not even finish high school and I have Dyslexia (a reading disability) and am gender dysphoric (transgendered) as well.

The legal loopholes that I’ve seen so far in the FTAA drafts appear to solely serve the interests of the larger, more developed nations involved. The articles in the draft agreement can be exploited quite easily in smaller countries, who currently do not have the capacity to regulate or even monitor many of the conditions specified in the agreement. The Bahamas has to realize that while we do want to compete globally, we also have to be careful of who we open our borders to (and how wide we open them). Why should we limit ourselves so quickly to binding trade contracts with countries only on the western side of the world? Something is wrong with this picture.

With the current infrastructure of various industries in The Bahamas, can we say with absolute confidence that we can play with the “big boys” on this one? I do believe that this is a case of “dey eye too big for dey belly.” With promises of millions of dollars being pumped into the economy, anyone who is not used to dealing with money would nod their heads in agreement right away without analyzing how they are sacrificing their sovereignty. "Oh well, at least we will be rich eh!" Au contraire, instead we will be guilty of limiting our own capacity to learn how to survive on our own, as well as making sure that wealth stays in the hands of those who already have it. I want my future children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren to have the opportunity to become wealthy on their own, not to work for someone else who is.

The underlying principle of the FTAA agreement is simple: “Give these people what they think amounts to a free meal and watch them come running back for more. Their inherent laziness will keep them from trying to further themselves in solid, self-sufficient ways that will ensure their continued prosperity. As well as effectively nullifying their trade laws, which were meant to protect their local businesses, we can also use various aspects of this agreement to easily tighten the reins on them if they disagree with us on some future issue.” And do not attempt to tell me that the last part of that statement does not happen; case in point - Jamaica during the time of the late, former Jamaican Prime Minister Michael Manley up to the present day.

Here in The Bahamas we are currently experiencing the effects of a society that has not gained a real appreciation for intelligence, hard work and diligence. The rise in crime and other societal ills has been due solely to mismanagement of this country’s collective value of educational and moral standards. Our educational system is barely managing to keep up. The majority of our kids believe that money grows on trees and some of our leaders (religious, political and business) do not think twice about exploiting their own principles and people for self-promotion. All of this is happening because of our rush in the 1980’s to make as much money as we could, as fast as we could, without in-depth analysis of the social ramifications of this greed-like mentality. When money becomes your god, it destroys you or makes you a slave to its causes.

From a business perspective though, the matter is simple. Be wary of certain contracts – someone almost always gets the short end of the stick. (and if it's not them, quite obviously it's you.)

Should not this book with all of its insight on the matters at hand be free for all Bahamians to have access to? Since, afterall, it is for the betterment of the "Commonwealth" of ALL BAHAMAS???? Ok, sure, it takes money to put it to print but with all the monies that the government spends on foolish things and this is suppose to be for the good of all bahamians, then ALL BAHAMIANS should be able to afford to have it?
It is true that Bahamians must become recognized and the entrepreneurs, the small business men and women, and the locals have the opportunity to gain financially from their hard work and efforts. It would be very rewarding to know that with any agreements with any countries that their rights would be protected and that they would not be washed away. That the 'big' corporations would over run their efforts and they would not be forgotten and in fact, be helped greatly by government's decisions. After all, before globalization and trade agreements, who were the ones that kept this country afloat????
Make sure that any decisions on Free Trade are for your own country and that whatever is gained by any involvement is for the good of Bahamas and not the rest of the world.
With that being said, the government should ensure that each Bahamian, Man, Woman,and Child be afforded equal educational opportunities which includes access to the global markets and better educational materials, technologies and communications before you let the rest of the world into Bahamas to overtake the most important assets this country has... which is its people and their God given rights to live productive lives. Make sure it is for all and not just the 'select' few!