By Noel Thompson, ContributorLONDON:
GENERAL MANAGER of the Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS) Earl Jarrett, sought to assure Jamaican business leaders in the UK that there are some positive things on the horizon for Jamaica, such as the containment of inflation.
He said that for the first quarter of this year, the Government had managed to come out ahead of its own target both in terms of its programme to reduce its deficit as well as its tax collection and expenditure.
"In terms of tourist arrivals, we have also seen a good first quarter. While for some Jamaica might not be all "glory," but with new businesses in the market, it has been a good experience. Digicel, for example, came and took on the monopoly with Cable and Wireless and has surpassed their performance and has become the number one mobile provider in Jamaica, which has resulted in a whole raft of economic activities," He added that there were opportunities in the Jamaican market for innovative entrepreneurs.
He was addressing Jamaicans during the launch of the JNBS UK 2003 tour recently. The tour is the JNBS' annual road show aimed at enlightening Jamaicans living in the UK of financial opportunities which exist in Jamaica. The tour concluded in London last Saturday.
On the issue of crime in Jamaica, he said: "the reality is that while the international media portray certain stories of abject criminality in Jamaica, figures show a decline.
"As it relates to the drug situation and the threat that our air link has because of this, we have seen some success in curtailing this activity, with the installation of the IonScan machines at the airports and the active co-operation between the British and Jamaican police in dealing with that problem. The evidence is that a lot of the drug business has now left Jamaica," he said.
He also indicated his support for the establishing of the Caribbean Court of Justice, as the region's final court. "It is my understanding that there are enough safeguards in place to ensure that it will be free from any interference that will pervert justice. Against that background, I cannot see any good reason why the Caribbean should not move towards establishing the CCJ."
