While the PLP Government is doing everything we can to create jobs and turn our economy around, the truth is, we can't do it alone. You have the power to help create and sustain good paying jobs in Bermuda by buying Bermuda! Minister Kim Wilson:

Ladies and gentlemen, it’s no secret that our local businesses continue to face some very challenging times.

Not only are they competing locally, but they also continue to face declining sales as locals take advantage of the accessibility to global markets and spend less money at home.

Simply put, every dollar spent shopping overseas is a dollar taken away from our economy and if we don’t keep the money in our community imagine the impact that will have on the economic future of Bermuda.

To this end, we thought that it was important to have this week to not only raise awareness of our responsibilities as smart consumers but to also highlight the importance of supporting local businesses as we endeavor to revitalize and stimulate our economy.

So, next week, from October 24 through October 28, we will be hosting a few activities aimed at making the public more aware of their consumer rights.

The line-up events are as follows:

• A presentation to local businesses entitled “The Laws and You”. This presentation is designed to help businesses understand how the laws affect how they do business. This will be held on October 26, in the Chamber of Commerce Board Room.
• On October 27, the Department of Consumer Affairs will also hold a presentation for local businesses and their front line staff on “Why Customer Service Matters”. This will also take place in the Chamber of Commerce Board Room.
• Consumer Awareness Week will also be the start of a media campaign that highlights the benefits to supporting local businesses as well as address customer service issues. This will include talk radio appearances on HOTT 107.5 FM, and Bermuda Broadcasting’s various stations.
• And rounding out our week of activities is the airing of a specially produced half hour television programme called “Your Money… Our Economy”. This informative programme is hosted by radio personality Sheri Simmons with guest panelists – economist Craig Simmons, the Chamber of Commerce’s retail representative Paula Clark and the Ministry of Finance’s Economic Advisor Hasan Durham. The programme takes a critical look at the need to support our local businesses and will be airing every evening next week on CITV – Government’s television station.

Finally ladies and gentlemen, I cannot overstate enough that local businesses are a critical component to our economy.

In fact, just this week, Government released some encouraging statistics indicating that we have seen a rise in retail sales for the first time in three years.

This is good news and we hope it continues.

Ladies and gentlemen, local businesses are the engine drivers of our economy.

They put money back into our community … they donate to local charities, they contribute to local causes, they sponsor community and nonprofit organizations, they financially support community activities, schools and clubs.

They share their revenue back into the local economy which is a financial benefit for all of us.

We can't turn our economy around alone. We need your help. Buy Bermuda. Invest in our small businesses. And, together, we can turn our economy around and create good paying jobs for Bermudians.