Phillips launches commission to craft policies for emerging and existing sectors

Eyeing emerging and existing industries with a view to changing Jamaica's dependency on some traditional sectors, Opposition Leader Peter Phillips yesterday launched the Youth Employment, Innovation and the New Economy Commission, with a mandate to develop a policy framework to modernise and transform globally competitive areas of the local economy in the short and medium term.

Phillips said the Opposition is pursuing this initiative so that when it forms the next administration, the policies crafted by this commission can be implemented to create jobs and opportunities for young people.

The commission was launched at the Office of the Leader of the Opposition in Kingston.

Dubbed the New Economy Action Plan, the policy framework is intended to leverage the energy and talents of Jamaica's youth and contribute to levels of sustained equitable economic growth required to raise the living standards of all Jamaicans.

While the framework will seek to facilitate innovation, creativity and sound business outcomes for young people, the commission will place emphasis on specific sectors.

The areas of focus for the commission are music, entertainment, fashion, sports, nutraceuticals including medical cannabis, technology development such as animation, high-level skills outsourcing services, tourism, and care services to include retirement villages.

REPORT IN SIX MONTHS

The commission is expected to submit a preliminary report to the opposition leader within the next six months.

Chairman of the commission, Gary Peart, who is also chief executive officer of Mayberry Investments Limited, said that Jamaica has excelled in almost every area with the exception being sustainable wealth creation.

"We believe that has to change, and this commission is tasked with finding different policies in how to go about starting this process," Peart said.

He said that Jamaica had hundreds of thousands of youth who do not even have the opportunity to recognise the potential that they have.

"I think it is important that if this country is to move forward, we going to have to devise a way in which to create that opportunity for them to move forward."