Increased Production Only Way Forward – Minister Clarke

Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Roger Clarke, has again called on Jamaicans to increase production, as this is the only way to move the country forward.

“I am confident that something is going to happen … now is the opportunity for us to rise and build,” he said.

The Minister emphasized that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is not going to solve Jamaica’s problems, as the issues being faced by the country will only be solved by all citizens working together as one people for one cause.

Mr. Clarke was speaking at the opening of Edgechem Jamaica Limited’s 16th retail paint store in Savanna-La-Mar, Westmoreland, on March 22.

“I say to the people of this country, let us throw away the orange shirt and the green shirt, and let us come together as one to build one Jamaica.If we fail at this, no colour will save us,” the Minister said.

Mr. Clarke congratulated Edgechem for promoting local products and import substitution.

The company is famous for having the only locally developed automotive refinishing system, with software for the mixing of over 50,000 colours.

For her part, Managing Director of Edgechem, Doreen Frankson, said that to prevent decline in the economy and loss of jobs, citizens everywhere must ‘Buy Jamaican’.

“We all must build Brand Jamaica with top quality products and services which we have been producing, while at the same time significantly reducing our import bill,” she emphasized.

By Glenis A. Rose, JIS Reporter