PM must energise growth campaign
Published:Sunday | May 6, 2018 | 12:00 AM
THE EDITOR, Sir:
I must laud Delroy Warmington for his excellent column ('Growth: No more excuses, Mr Holness') in The Sunday Gleaner of May 6, 2018, denouncing the Holness Government for its economic lethargy and time-wasting while the nation is languishing with anaemic economic growth.
Mr Warmington has a full grasp of the steps needed to fuel substantial economic growth in Jamaica, but unfortunately, the Government is oblivious to these tangible opportunities. I urge all well-thinking Jamaicans with the insight and goodwill of Mr Warmington to press this Government vehemently to awaken from its coma so that Jamaica can become a booming economy like little Trinidad and Barbados.
The prime minister should engage the Urban Development Corporation in designing a comprehensive plan for the restoration of downtown Kingston, repositioning it as the rightful capital of Jamaica. This can be done strategically by utilising idle, non-productive funds from the National Housing Trust, coupled with private-sector inputs. Encourage the mega-profit banks to reinvest in Kingston's infrastructure, which will see the area stratified into zones for academia, commerce, government, and as mixed residential. Encourage foreign investment for commercial spaces on long-term leases.
Exploit the dormant Port Royal legacy and our mineral bath facilities to increase local employment and to build capital.
Leverage remittances for economic growth given their substantial contribution to the economy. Redesign our education system to skill workers and professionals for employment abroad as a public policy.
J.D. WOOD