Progress Made in Removing Growth Constraints

Economic Growth Council (EGC) Chairman, Michael Lee-Chin, says notable progress has been made in addressing factors that serve to constrain economic growth in Jamaica.

He said the achievements over the last two quarters of the 2017/18 fiscal year resulted from the EGC’s collaboration with public- and private-sector entities and international partners.

“All of these collaborative activities between the enablers in Government and implementers in the private sector are focused on producing greater economic growth and new jobs. This exciting journey along the path (to) improved economic growth is an opportunity that all Jamaicans need to support and exploit,” he said.

Mr. Lee-Chin was presenting the EGC’s Fourth Report to the Nation at Jamaica House on Wednesday (January 24).

He cited progress made in national security through the drafting of the proposed Police Services Act to replace the existing Jamaica Constabulary Force Act.

He noted that the new Act will support the JCF’s transformation into a modern intelligence-driven service that ensures public safety and security through stronger systems of administration and internal discipline.

Mr. Lee-Chin said the Ministry also rolled out its closed-circuit television (CCTV) infrastructure, data analysis platform and additional information technology resources, which are aimed at facilitating more strategic, decisive, targeted and accurate crime-fighting.

He further cited the installation of video-link equipment in the courts, noting that the process, which is well under way, will make it easier and safer for persons to testify in trial proceedings, as part of the overall crime-fighting strategy.

Mr. Lee-Chin informed of collaboration among the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), National Housing Trust (NHT), Housing Agency of Jamaica (HAJ), Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ), and National Land Agency (NLA) to develop a comprehensive plan to reintegrate informal settlements and communities affected by high levels of crime.

Another key area of progress noted by Mr. Lee-Chin involves work to divest Government-owned assets.

He said plans have been completed for submission to Cabinet that will inform the privatisation of 20 per cent of the assets of the Urban Development Corporation (UDC) and Factories Corporation of Jamaica (FCJ)

He said divestment of the Norman Manley International Airport is well under way.

Meanwhile, Mr. Lee-Chin used the opportunity to again express the EGC’s gratitude and best wishes to former Executive Director, Maureen Denton, who demitted office last August.

He said Ms. Denton, who was the EGC’s first Executive Director, worked “tirelessly” to establish and position the Secretariat, from its inception “to be the recognisable institution that it is today”.

Mr. Lee-Chin also used the opportunity to welcome her successor, Senator Aubyn Hill, who he said “brings a track record of implementation to this job”.

He said Senator Hill, who served as the National Commercial Bank’s Chief Executive Officer when Mr. Lee-Chin acquired the institution in 2002, “is eminently qualified to lead the Secretariat in its work”.