National Competitiveness Council Formed

Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Karl Samuda, has announced the formation of a National Competitiveness Council (NCC) to improve efficiency in the export sector.
Speaking during the 2010/11 Sectoral Debate in Gordon House this week, Mr. Samuda said the establishment of the body will place the systems pertaining to national competitiveness under one umbrella.
“It was established in the interest of administrative efficiency and effectiveness, and provides a single point of reference and support for the various initiatives to be undertaken by the Trade Facilitation Board, the National Export Strategy, and the Target Growth Competitiveness Committee,” he said.
The mandate of the NCC is to coordinate the implementation of the National Export Strategy, and promote partnership to foster robust economic growth.
It will seek to implement cross-functional and multi-agency strategies to address the impediments associated with establishing and operating a business in Jamaica, and drive the creation and maintenance of a policy environment that facilitates continued improvements in the productivity and innovativeness of Jamaican micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
“(The Council also) directly addresses complaints regarding delays experienced in the processing of business and investment projects; formulates measures leading to speedy processing of business and investment projects; and provides policy advice on steps towards an improved and competitive business climate,” Mr. Samuda informed.
The Minister also announced the establishment of a Partnership for National Transformation plan, which he said originated from the National Planning Summit in 2007.
He said the Partnership for National Transformation was established to streamline the work of the Social Partnership and the Planning Summit and achieve a greater level of efficiency in the work towards a competitive business environment.