Minister of State with responsibility for Business and Private Sector Development, Senator Einstein Louison has responded to criticisms levelled at him as it relates to his ability to successfully meet the needs of the private sector in the country.

His role came under close scrutiny during the 2004 Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure by Shadow Finance Minister and Parliamentary Representative for St. George's North-east Nazim Burke. Burke wondered about Louison, the Leader of Government Business in the Upper House ability to assist the business community with the challenges posed as it relates to the development of new niches, products and techniques as they seek to survive in the new global environment.

The Shadow Finance Minister who is the Public Relations Officer (PRO) for the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) questioned the level of administrative, technical and logistical support the Senator possesses to carry out his assignment.

Burke also wanted to know whether or not his office has a strategic plan for engaging the private sector on issues they are concerned about. In responding to the criticisms, Louison a former Army Major in the disbanded Peoples' Revolutionary Army (PRA) of the ill-fated Peoples' Revolutionary Government (PRG) of the late marxist leader Maurice Bishop said he is quite capable.

During his contribution on the 2004 Budget Debate in the Upper House last Friday, Senator Louison sought to clear the air on the role he has played in nation building over the years.

According to Louison, he believes that he has helped bring major development for the country in the past. He told the sitting that he was part of a delegation that travelled to the Republic of Cuba to conduct negotiations for assistance during the construction of the Point Salines International Airport (PSIA).

The Leader of Government Business disclosed that he was also part of several delegations that went to Libya, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia among other countries to secure loans to assist in the building of the Airport. He said that only recently, he was part of a team that negotiated again with the Cubans, this time for the construction of the New General Hospital in St. George's.

Louison brushed aside Burke's suggestions about him being politically appointed saying that this has nothing to do with politics but service for the development of his country. The NDC believes that Louison's appointment has to do with the role he played during the election campaign for the New National Party(NNP) of Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell.

He said that contrary to what some might say about his appointment, he only recently arranged for Dr. Mitchell to lead a delegation from March 5th to the New York Stock Exchange. Louison said the visit will result in great economic benefits for the country.