Mark Beckford, Gleaner Writer

President of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica, Beverley Lopez, is expressing concern over the prospective Sunset Legislation, which she believes will infringe on private business interests during the staging of Cricket World Cup 2007.

The act, which has to be passed by November 1 of this year, will allow for the establishment of a 'Red Zone', which has restrictions for the operations of private business in the vicinity of Sabina Park, central Kingston.

The Gleaner, in a statement yesterday, expressed concerns that provisions of the act if left unaltered, will "have a profoundly negative impact on private businesses and the country in general."

In an interview with The Gleaner, Lopez said that certain provisions in the legislation could result in the loss of revenue for companies. "I am concerned regarding the Red Zone. The whole matter of a Red Zone is important for business people who are in close proximity to Sabina Park."

Lopez says while there is not much that can be done to alter this provision in the Act, she believes businesses should be compensated.

"The question is who is going to compensate the business which will have to close during Cricket World Cup."

Lopez is calling on the Government to work with these businesses, to solve any eventualities and says her organisation is committed to working with them to seek a solution. "The private sector wants to work with Government in terms of Cricket World Cup 2007 and sport, and the establishment of the Red Zone is a real problem."

Meanwhile, Tourism Product Development Company and American Chamber of Commerce chairman, Audrey Marks has expressed disappointment at the delay of the passage of Sunset legislation.

The legislation if not passed in the next nine days would result in the loss of the right of the region to host the event.

"It is a disappointment that Jamaica has not yet passed the Sunset legislation and it is in a way indicative of our current lack of focus on these issues," she says.

Marks, however, expects the laws to be passed and Jamaica to focus on Cricket World Cup 2007 eventually. "Fortunately or unfortunately, as a people we have the ability to make up the distance in the final leg. I expect over the next four-five months to see a real push for readiness for Cricket World Cup Cricket so I expect the legislation will be passed at in time."