By Sharon Austin
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, (BGIS) — Government has taken another significant step on the ease of doing business path, with the “go live” of CAIPO’s Corporate Registry.
Prime minister Mia Amor Mottley said it was a necessary step in the relay to achieve success and make Barbadian service delivery within the business sector world-class; made the comments on Friday, as she addressed the launch of the Corporate Affairs and Intellectual Property Office’s (CAIPO) Digitisation Project, which was held at its Baobab Tower, Warrens, St Michael, office.
The prime minister told her in-person and online audience: “And never … should we continue to rest on our laurels. Be proud of what we have achieved, but be conscious that there is always somebody or something on our heels that requires us to be ever vigilant because this is a competitive world. And if we are going to be the best in class, then we need to make sure that we are vigilant, creative and disciplined, but above all else, conscious of the people whom we serve.”
As a result of the “go live”, persons will, from the comfort of their home or office, now be able to register business names, incorporate companies and complete the entire process, from filing of documents to the issuance of certificates online.
Mottley described the role of the Corporate Registry as one of facilitation and enabling, with a duty to make it happen.
“Our duty is to be able to tell people how to do things in the way that is expected but not to bar them from doing it. So, no is not an answer that is applicable to either you or the Town Planning Department, without explaining to people how can I reach yes, and how can I have conditional approval,” she noted.
She said a component of the journey to parliamentary republic was building the confidence to deconstruct and reconstruct in critical areas. As she underscored the importance of this transition, she pointed out that technological transformation without the change of policy, legislation and human element would mean nothing.
Mottley said she was “fully elated” with the Corporate Registry’s digital transition, expressing the view that it was a statement of confidence in the country’s capacity to work with partners to make the necessary changes; noted that the decision to go digital was made before the COVID-19 pandemic affected the world, and it was indeed a good choice.
“We are very grateful that the trajectory upon which we are embarked, remains sound and appropriate because it has put us in the right place at the right time,” the prime minister stressed. The second phase of the project is expected to be implemented next year.
