Corruption, a central threat to nation’s progress – Hylton

Declaring that “Jamaica is at a precipice, not a crossroads”, Opposition spokesman on investment, trade and global logistics Anthony Hylton, says the country can choose continuity or step boldly into a new era.

In his contribution to the Sectoral Debate in Parliament yesterday, Hylton warned that corruption was a central threat to the nation’s progress.

“This is a crisis that erodes investor confidence, undermines public trust, and stalls real growth and development. If we are to truly pivot our country and unleash our full potential, we must first restore credibility, accountability, and good governance at the very top,” he argued.

Faced with what he described as “great economic uncertainties”, Hylton said that countries and regions are strengthening connectivity to regional and global markets, in order to build resilient supply chains and ensure their economic survival and growth.

He said that Jamaica has little time to diversify its route to, and access to new markets for the critical supplies needed or the exports to earn the foreign exchange to keep the economy growing.

“Wait and see is not a strategy, it is merely condemning the Jamaican people to further suffering,” he said.

He outlined that action to safeguard Jamaica’s interests under Caribbean Basin Initiative legislations, by seeking an exemption to the 10 per cent tariff imposed by the United States, must be done on a CARICOM level.

According to Hylton, the logic of CARICOM cooperation, which at times escapes the current administration, is inescapable in this and other matters affecting the region.

Hylton said the People’s National Party’s leadership of CARICOM is best able to unite the region around this and other critical developmental issues facing the region.

He said the Jamaica Labour Party’s “go it alone tendency, exemplified by its historic and current stance on regional integration is simply not helpful in this moment of looming crisis”.

The Opposition spokesman said a government with vision, political will, strategic focus, and competence to inspire regional unity is needed to move the process forward.

He said critical to addressing the economic growth and development challenges facing Jamaica, CARICOM and the Americas is the implementation of what he termed “Jamaica 4.0”.

Hylton pointed out that Jamaica 4.0 is designed to align a whole of nation strategy, with the advancements of industry 4.0. technological revolution.

He said this transformative agenda aims to position Jamaica as the fourth node in the global trading system, and a premier hub for business, trade flows, and logistics within the Americas. “By prioritising innovation, leveraging cutting-edge digital technologies, and championing sustainable development, Jamaica 4.0 will accelerate economic growth and redefine the nation’s role on the global stage,” he added.