New term, new vision

Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness on Tuesday set the agenda for his administration’s next term, emphasising the urgent need for innovative policies to accelerate Jamaica’s slow-growing economy and ensure inclusive, sustainable growth.

In a speech punctuated by bell-ringing Labourites on King’s House’s Ceremonial Lawn, Holness said Jamaica’s cultural reach, globally, is not backed up by its economy, signalling his intent for an aggressive push towards growth.

“We must match that reputation with an economy of strength, a society of opportunity, and a nation of enduring justice and peace,” said Holness, in front of hundreds gathered for his fourth swearing-in.

The prime minister said the next chapter for the country will focus on converting its unmatched global influence into a pillar for the economy.

He said the vision of his government for the coming term is to spur economic growth that lifts Jamaican households out of absolute poverty, noting that the last nine years were spent reversing the outcome of years-long mismanagement.

He argued that sustained economic growth will end absolute poverty in Jamaica, asserting that his administration can and will accomplish this.

“We want growth that gives every child the opportunity to dream and achieve, no matter where they are born or their surname. Growth that reaches the trying mother who can send all her children to university without facing crippling debt or having to choose between firstborn or second born. Growth that reaches the farmer who now has reliable irrigation, storage, and a market for his products. Growth that strengthens our healthcare system, which in turn keeps our people well and productive,” he said in a speech that spanned 30 minutes.

In the same breath, he pledged to elevate creative industries, music, film, fashion, art, and sports, into an engine of growth, pointing to Jamaica’s cultural reach.

He said its value must be realised and investments made to make it one of the island’s greatest exports.

“We must take the same discipline, creativity, and ambition that gave us musical and sporting legends and channel that into building one of the most dynamic economies in the global south,” Holness said.

Acknowledging Jamaica’s geographic location as one of its greatest assets, Holness said the country is perfectly positioned to be a hub of global trade.

He said his administration will be pressing ahead with transformational projects to anchor Jamaica as a logistics hub of the region, declaring that the Caymanas Special Economic Zone will be the largest and most advanced industrial and commercial centre in the English-speaking Caribbean.

“We will make Jamaica the gateway to the Americas,” he said.

However, he cautioned that the country’s economic future must be about human capital development and technology creation, noting that it is critical for young Jamaicans to be equipped to lead in the global digital economy.

Noting that an estimated 70 per cent of the Jamaican economy depends on services, Holness said the value created is intrinsic to the individual effort, knowledge, skills, creativity, and attitude.

He said, if the economy is to grow beyond its current trajectory, there must be a widespread and general increase in the productivity of individuals, as well as the systems and technology which they are paired with in production.

“This next chapter must see a laser focus on education and training of our current labour force and the generation to come. Through our education system, we must create a Jamaica that is pro-social, pro-growth, pro-technology, innovative, emotionally regulated, and more productive. This is imperative,” he said.

Still, he acknowledged that Jamaica’s economic growth is dependent on the operations of government, lamenting bureaucracy which, he said, has frustrated investment, slowed innovation, and drained productivity.

“Endless forms, long lines, and red tape that stand in the way of progress. Of even greater concern is that inefficient systems breed and provide an incentive for corruption. That is why we have developed the SPEED (Streamlining Processes for Efficiency and Economic Development) programme.

“This is our commitment to cut red tape, to remove unnecessary obstacles, and to ensure that government is not a barrier to opportunity, but a platform for success. Through SPEED, permits will be faster, licences simpler, and services more transparent. By digitising transactions, streamlining approvals, and using technology to eliminate delays, we will unleash productivity across the economy.

“This will also peel away the layers of inefficiency and lack of networking that hampers anti-corruption efforts. A modern economy demands modern government. Jamaica cannot afford to be slow when the world is moving fast,” Holness said.

kimone.francis@gleanerjm.com