Going for GROWTH, development

Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller yesterday mapped out her administration's path to growth and development, which includes projects to jump-start the economy, provide jobs, and investment opportunities.

Cultural and Creative Industries: Technology, Performance, Innovation and Creativity

We have been talking about the social, institutional and economic value of the cultural and creative industries for many years.

We plan to provide the enabling environment in which naturally talented, creative and industrious Jamaicans can develop.

The modern focus on the cultural and creative economy recognises that it spans several sectors, industries, as well as ministries, agencies and departments of government. In the past, we have given separate, discrete focus to ICTs, innovation, and the traditional cultural and creative sectors including design, music, broadcasting, performance arts and even sport.

As part of our transformative approach, these will be rationalised and developed into a dynamic and important economic sector.

... A cultural and creative industries commission is being established to promote the growth and development of those industries in Jamaica. The commission will oversee the development of the Cultural and Creative Industries Policy and Master Plan in consultation with key stakeholders.

Rural Development Strategy

Within the current financial constraints, over the next three years, my administration will focus on the following elements:

Agro-parks to boost agricultural productivity and expand employment.

Agro-industries for new product development, including neutraceuticals. and other value-added products.

Drought mitigation.

Improvement of farm roads.

Community tourism and ecotourism.

The establishment of additional community access points, increased access to the Internet and related services.

Access to affordable housing solutions.

Delivery of outstanding land titles.

Business development.

I will be establishing a task force on rural development to coordinate these development strategies.

National Task Force

Putting in place all the factors needed to exploit the country's location is not a trivial job. It requires coordination of several variables: availability of trained labour, availability of required infrastructure; availability of reliable power and water services. We need all hands on board to coordinate these developments.

In recognition of the enormity and complexity of these challenges, Cabinet recently approved the establishment of a national task force, charged with coordinating the work needed to ensure that the country benefits from the significant interest being shown by serious investors.

I have great pleasure in announcing that the principal of the Mona campus of the University of the West Indies, Professor Gordon Shirley, has agreed to chair this national task force.

To the poor

I speak of the rural poor and the urban poor in our inner cities, who exist on the fringe of the society and are in desperate need of special attention and our support. The strain on the economy and the pressure on the dollar caused by this persistent recession have had a direct impact on food and commodity prices.

To those members of the Jamaican family, as your prime minister, I say to you this afternoon, 'We know it is hard and we know it is difficult. You have not been forgotten.'

The administration that I lead on your behalf is ensuring that an appropriate mix of policies and programmes is designed to bring greater security to your lives and ensure that your situation is improved.

Public servants

Our public servants and the public-sector trade unions have also made huge sacrifices. They have partnered with us and have, once again, agreed to wage restraints.

Whether they are teachers, police or soldiers on the front line; whether they are health professionals, accountants or social workers; technical or executive professionals, administrators, clerical, ancillary workers or drivers, this country cannot run without our dedicated public servants.

Time and time again, they have stepped to the plate to help Jamaica. We owe them a huge debt of gratitude. I assure them that we have not taken their sacrifices for granted. This is why we will always choose dialogue and be respectful of our public servants.

This Government has not taken the sacrifices of the public-sector workers for granted. That is why, at my instruction, the Ministry of Transport, Works and Housing has identified 250 acres of land at Ebony Park in St Catherine, which will be used for the construction of houses for public-sector workers. This will reduce the cost of housing for public-sector workers.

The Government will also identify other suitable parcels of land for the same purpose, which will be announced at the appropriate time.

Based on reports I have seen from the Public Sector Modernisation Division of the Cabinet Office, some interesting things are being undertaken. So, all is not lost! The Public Sector Modernisation Division has advanced work on a second one-stop shop to be located in Montego Bay to be opened during the latter part of the next financial year.

In regard to subdivision and building applications, the Application Management and Data Automation (AMANDA) system in the Portmore municipality is nearly completed. This AMANDA system has been installed in eight local authorities and will be rolled out to all local authorities and other key referral agencies by April 2015. The Public Sector Modernisation Division has also facilitated help desks in the Clarendon, Trelawny and St Elizabeth parish councils.

Entrepreneurs are the lifeblood of any successful economy. This administration is committed to promoting and supporting entrepreneurship.