LEADING EXPERT on economic development in Ireland, Dan Flinter has recommended that more be done to develop downtown Kingston in order to generate income and job creation in Jamaica.

Speaking at the Eisenhower Day of Fellowship luncheon last Friday at the Wyndham Hotel, New Kingston, Flinter shared that over 35,000 jobs have been generated in Ireland by developing the docklands.

"There were low levels of employment among our people, now there are over 35,000 persons employed in the sector, and it began by this initiative to develop a particular zone on the docklands," he said.

"It has made a positive impact, creating employment, creating new skills, which created an avenue for better trading opportunities."

Flinter said some things to take into consideration are to ensure that a key cornerstone of public policy is established, a competitive tax structure must be employed and there must be a coalition between the public and private sector. He added that the Government must be target driven and expectation must be very clear.

Opinion on IMF deal

When asked his opinion on Jamaica securing a deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), he suggested that commitments must be honoured and recommended that time be seen as integral.

"Ireland has been involved with the IMF in the last 18 months, and the big lesson I've learnt is that where we have made commitments, you honour them," he advised.

Flinter added: "If it's to cut expenditure or make certain changes, one needs to deliver on them, and that becomes an important lesson not only to the IMF, but also to international markets so that they will become confident to lend money and that you deliver on time."