Leonardo Blair, Staff Reporter
MEGAMART AND Bashco Trading Company CEO, Gassan Azan, on Thursday criticised the private sector for not doing enough to help the Government in alleviating the nation's debt problem.
He urged members to become more united in tackling issues of national importance.
The prominent Kingston businessman, argued that there are some persons in the private sector who seem to think that the nation's debt problem is the Government's problem. Not so, he said.
"People must realise that the debt burden facing Jamaica is not only the responsibility of the Government, but the debt is actually owed by all Jamaicans and, therefore, each of us has to face the consequences," said Mr. Azan.
"If Jamaica is to emerge from its current difficulties, owners of capital have to start looking beyond merely putting money on deposit and lending it to government and thereby deeping the debt burden," he stated.
Mr. Azan who was honoured earlier this year with a Job Creation Award from the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica, was speaking at a Rotary Club of Kingston luncheon held at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel.
JOBS CREATED
His MegaMart Wholesale Club has created some 450 jobs with its newest location on Waterloo Road, St. Andrew opening last December.
Mr. Azan pointed out that increased unity in the private sector and more strategic co-operation with the government can lead to more prosperity for the country. "This should include the sort of co-operation that would extend to instances of seconding strategic personnel from the private to the public sector," he said.
