Handling Economic Growth With Caution

The front page story presents much evidence of the phenomenal economic growth of Anguilla over the years. When one considers the many financial and development opportunities still looming ahead and within our grasp, the island appears to be set for a rosy and enviable future.

It is also a future that is frightening. There are fears that the pace of Anguilla’s economic development is too rapid and is greatly out-classing its social development that if we are not careful we may face grave consequences later on. The signs are obvious and we must take heed. We are grateful for the lucrative and steady progress we are making although it is generally admitted that Anguillians would have been better beneficiaries if our economic development had been more phased.

On the other hand, however, Anguilla, once despised for its backwardness, has been hungry for development and it is difficult to resist the swift economic opportunities coming our way especially when there is so much competition all around us. All we really need to do is to guard against over-development and to ensure that our people are the real beneficiaries of the growth and prosperity we are experiencing.

The theme of the Budget Address “Time for Consolidation: Coping with the Growing Pains of Transformation” is timely in today’s situation in Anguilla. The island has indeed reached a point where we must reflect on our achievements, see where we are, consolidate our gains and position and manage the changes we are undergoing.

Apart from properly managing our economic development, we must pay particular attention to such matters as the rising spectre of crime and violence, drug abuse and other threats of depravity engulfing our young people on whom the future of our society must be built. Crime is a negative and destructive factor we much watch as we continue to pursue tourism as the main vehicle of our economy and livelihood of our people. All of this calls for cautionary measures and an understanding of the vulnerability of the industry we have embarked upon.

Government must carry out its responsibilities to safeguard the interests of Anguilla on all fronts of our economic and social development. Those who have come, and are coming, to our shores to sojourn and work among us and our own people must also do their part to protect our economy and way of life and the values Anguillians have longed cherished. In this way we can keep the future of Anguilla bright, prosperous and peaceful.