By Jean Lowrie-Chin
Jamaica Observer column - excerpts | 21 Oct 2013
Last Tuesday morning, we listened to Professor Richard Curtin, head of the University of Michigan Survey Research Centre, as he revealed that both business and consumer confidence had hit low levels in the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce (JCC) sponsored 2013 third quarter survey. However, later that very day, there was a well-attended show of new Mercedes Benz models at the Pegasus Hotel.
A group of patriotic Jamaicans are currently planning a fundraising dinner to be held this Thursday for the maintenance and enhancement of our beautiful heritage site, Devon House. Committee member Chef Celeste Ritch Gordon was trying to set up photo-shoots with fellow participating chefs, but said they were all busy with catering jobs. Our social pages tell us that there is no let-up on the party scene, which creates well-needed employment.
While the sliding dollar and the high level of unemployment may result in pessimism, Prof Curtin said that messaging around positive national happenings could help to promote greater optimism, important for economic growth. Prof Curtin noted a media report of a Disney cruise ship docked in Trelawny, and craft vendors selling goods to them. "Those vendors are entrepreneurs," he insisted. "That is what should be emphasized."
At the JCC presentation, Jamaican market research guru Don Anderson explained that after each general election, the country becomes highly expectant, buoyed by election promises. After time passes and this does not materialise, there is the pattern of a plunge in confidence.
Observer business columnist Keith Collister described the situation as 'The great squeeze' and said that the way out was to achieve a critical mass for the export industry. He also noted the importance of tax reform, quoting in his Friday Business Observer column past PSOJ President Joe Matalon and referring to the yeoman's work done in this area by his father the late Roy Collister during the 80s.
The opportunities for export are tremendous. Because of the various requests we have when going abroad, we know that the world cannot get enough of Jamaica's coffee, rum, ginger, pimento, scotch bonnet pepper, logwood honey, ground provisions, fruit and vegetables. An expatriate who is regarded as a gourmet chef, says he has never had tastier food anywhere else in the world. Some of the world's top chefs who recently visited Jamaica noted the quality and variety of our mangoes – we could do so much more with this remarkable and abundant fruit.
I remember business leader Donna Duncan-Scott observing the importance of focus: she pointed out that without close attention, no person, place or thing can develop properly. Well do we recall Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller saying to her newly sworn-in Cabinet in January of last year – "Let's get to work!" Nearly two years later, we are suggesting that she requests a list of significant results from the work of these Ministers. We are tired of the photo opportunities – we need to know about the real opportunities that have been created and are in place for once-expectant Jamaicans.
Farewell fine Jamaicans
We bid farewell to the dignified former deputy PM and former Ambassador to Washington, Hon Seymour Mullings, who will be accorded an official funeral this Thursday at 11am at the St. Matthew's Anglican Church in Claremont. What a fine example of decency he has set for his fellow politicians.
Former Mayor of Mandeville Cecil Charlton was a caring patriot. I remember him saying that so concerned was he about unemployment, that his chicken-picking machine lay idle at his farm so that he could pay six persons to do the work manually. The late Mayor of Portmore, George Lee was a colleague member of the Public Relations Society of Jamaica in the eighties. Even as he rose to high office, his longtime associates noted that he always took the time to acknowledge them warmly. It was just last year that he greeted me effusively, with his devoted wife Aneita by his side – so hard to believe he is gone.
Condolences also to Clovis Metcalfe who lost his mother, Earl and Mike Jarrett who lost their father and Rohan Powell who lost his mother. It is fitting to celebrate these wonderful lives, and the many unsung, this Heroes' Day.
Congratulations, National Honourees
It was John F Kennedy who said, "A rising tide raises all boats". And so, let us wholeheartedly applaud the wonderful Jamaicans who will receive National Honours at King's House today. If I start to call names, I would be sure to get in trouble, so let me leave that to live-tweeting as we watch the ceremony this morning. I am proud of you my friends!
lowriechin@aim.com
Sent from my BlackBerry® device from Digicel
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