Barbados has long been regarded as among the most expensive places in the world to live. It is an unenviable position to hold, but we have been led to believe that it is the result of living in an open economy, where virtually everything is imported.Barbadians have enjoyed a reasonably high standard of living over the years, with access to relatively high quality services, including healthcare, education and other social services, free at the point of delivery. But these entitlements have been accompanied by a very high tax rate to support their provision.Those who have the benefit of an income, contribute to the welfare of all who reside here. We have also had the privilege of access to stable utilities such as clean water, electricity, and telecommunications.
