Not interested in ‘hype’; bring substance
Business sector wants to hear more policy-based ideas in campaign
Published:Sunday | August 10, 2025 | 8:30 PMEdmond Campbell - Senior Staff Reporter
As the nation awaits the announcement of the date for national elections, leaders across Jamaica’s business community are urging political parties to focus on substantive issues that will positively impact the country’s development and the well-being of its citizens.
President of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ), Metry Seaga, acknowledged the traditional “hype and sound bytes” of Jamaican political culture but emphasised the need for substance and the presentation of manifestos.
He told The Sunday Gleaner that the PSOJ also wants the political debates to take place so that the country can hear what each party will do to make the lives of the Jamaican people better and make businesses flourish.
“We want to hear what they are going to do about growth in the economy and these are the things we are interested in, not the sound bites,” he said.
The PSOJ president also observed that Jamaica has come a far way and has moved leaps and bounds in its political maturity.
“I live to see in my own organisation people in orange shirts and green shirts hugging up, and chatting and joking and laughing,” he quipped.
At the same time, the Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association (JMEA) believes that election campaigns should be mature, respectful, and reflective of Jamaica’s growth as a democratic nation.
Responding to questions from The Sunday Gleaner, the JMEA said political leaders have a responsibility to set the tone by refraining from derogatory remarks or language that could incite division or violence during the election campaign.
“Campaigns should focus on issues, with manifestos that are realistic, measurable, and aligned with the country’s shared priorities including fiscal discipline, economic growth, education, healthcare, and national security,” the JMEA said.
With campaigning taking place over several months, perhaps since the staging of local government elections in February 2024, the JMEA said prolonged election periods often create uncertainty that can delay investment and business decisions as leaders and decision-makers adopt a “wait-and-see” approach.
“This not only impacts production but also adds to the financial burden on political parties and their candidates,” the JMEA added.
Promised fixed
election dates
It noted that the 2016 manifesto of the Jamaica Labour Party promised fixed election dates, and as such the administration should deliver on that commitment.
“We are calling for constitutional reform to implement fixed election dates, removing the uncertainty we now face and ensuring a more predictable environment for both governance and economic activity.”
For its part, the Young Entrepreneurs Association (YEA), wants prospective candidates and their supporters to avoid personal attacks and instead use this period to showcase their performance, achievements, and credible plans that can contribute to the growth and development of the country.
President of the YEA, Cordell Williams-Graham, said for young entrepreneurs in particular, stability, unity and a clear vision for the future are essential.
“The campaign should therefore be a time to inspire confidence, strengthen trust in our democratic process, and clearly demonstrate how each party intends to create an enabling environment for innovation, investment, and sustainable business growth,” she added.
On the question of lengthy political campaigns, Williams-Graham also shared the view that prolonged political campaigning can create a climate of uncertainty that prompts both local and international investors to delay key decisions.
“For young entrepreneurs – many of whom operate in tight cash-flow environments – this uncertainty can result in slower client commitments, deferred partnerships, and hesitation in expanding operations,” she noted.
However, the YEA president acknowledged that many small businesses have benefited from this extended period of political activity, particularly those in sectors such as entertainment, street vending, marketing, printing, food services, and event planning.
She said for these enterprises, the increased demand has provided a welcome boost in sales and engagement – delivering a short-term stimulus to the local economy.
Additionally, Williams-Graham said given the pivotal moment Jamaica faces – based on where the country is now and the impact the next five years will have on its trajectory – allowing enough time for the campaign and for all parties to present their policies and vision is crucial.
“This ensures citizens can make informed choices grounded in a clear understanding of the facts and what each side is bringing to the table,” she said.
Garnett Reid, president of the Small Businesses Association of Jamaica (SBAJ), also joined with other sector leaders as he called for the election campaign to be conducted in a peaceful manner and for the discussions to be issues-based.
He warned against heightened tensions that could lead to violence noting that this would be inimical to the small business sector.
“We are hoping [that] when the election is called, we don’t have a long drawn-out campaign so that we can get over with it and go back to normality to help the country,” he said.
He reminded the two major political parties that the micro, small and medium enterprises are together the primary engine of growth in the country, even as he noted that the leadership of both parties made commitments to the sector he leads.
Policy-based issues JMEA wants political leaders to address
The manufacturing and export sectors are looking for clear policy commitments on areas critical to national development, including:
1. Skills development & human capital – Investing in training and upskilling our workforce, building on programmes such as the IDB Skills Development Initiative, to prepare Jamaicans for high-value jobs in manufacturing and export.
2. Trade policy for growth – Pursuing trade agreements that open new markets for Jamaican goods, remove export barriers, and strengthen protections against unfair trade practices.
3. Energy affordability & reliability – Implementing measures to reduce energy costs and improve reliability to keep Jamaican manufacturers competitive.
4. Public sector reform – Streamlining processes in agencies that interface with business to improve efficiency, reduce bureaucracy, and enable faster decision-making.
5. Long-term spatial & industrial planning – Developing a national spatial plan that allocates affordable land for industrial development, supported by modern infrastructure, transport links, and utilities to drive sustainable economic growth.
Policy-based issues YEA wants political leaders to address
The YEA commends the government for a number of the policies and initiatives put in place to support MSMEs and calls on those seeking office to outline concrete policies that can build on this foundation and address needs in the following priority areas:
1. Diversification of financial options that align with the way businesses operate – this is to include greater access to finance through simplified financing options for start-ups and growth-stage businesses, expanding credit guarantees, lower interest rates across key sectors and more financial education for MSMEs.
2. More incentives for MSME investments in technology, local import substitution and investments in alternative energy infrastructure.
3. We would also like to see more focus on innovation support through the creation of innovation or start up hubs.
4. Tax reform for small businesses – creating a fairer, simplified tax system that supports MSME growth rather than stifling it.
5. Ease of doing business – streamlining business registration, permits, and compliance processes to save time and reduce costs.
6. Greater focus on local and international industry linkages / supplier development programmes – i.e. creating a “mother manufacturer” framework where smaller manufacturers and service providers are connected to larger anchor companies, enabling them to supply goods, components, or services directly into bigger production and distribution chains.