Jamaica on alert but #stillbelieving

Observer column published 19 August 2019

by Jean Lowrie-Chin

We are borrowing Kingston Mayor Delroy Williams’ hashtag #stillbelieving as we reflect on the global economic jitters that have resulted from US-China trade conflicts.  Additionally, the price of aluminum has tumbled and threatens our bauxite industry.  However, we recall the last recession in 2008 when Jamaica was able to weather the storm as we had battened up our financial governance after the Finsac fallout. Indeed, an investor who had initially introduced Flow to Jamaica, noted that it was his Jamaican holdings that had shored him up when Wall Street was tumbling.

Well, as someone who has lived, worked and invested in my country for decades, I continue to be positive on Jamaica, even as I know that we have to be alert to the signals and be careful in our planning. My optimism is further bolstered by an opinion piece by World Bank Vice President Axel van Trotsenburg published in the Miami Herald on May 16 this year. Mr van Trotsenburg refers to our emergence from economic doldrums as ‘a silent revolution’, noting that “Jamaica has shown a macroeconomic turnaround that is quite extraordinary … After decades of high debt and low growth Jamaica has changed its growth trajectory, with positive economic growth for 16 consecutive quarters and growth getting closer to two per cent.”

He continued: “During that period, the Jamaica Stock Exchange went up more than 380 per cent. The credit agency Fitch upgraded the island's debt to B+ rating with a stable fiscal outlook, and unemployment hit eight per cent in January, the lowest in decades.”

He credits this and the previous administration with our serious belt-tightening: “The fiscal turnaround and economic transformation were possible because of the strong commitment across political parties over two competing administrations and electoral cycles. The country also critically benefited from a sustained social consensus for change and the strong backing of the private sector.”

Jamaica Economic Programme Oversight Committee (EPOC), first chaired by Richard Byles, who assumes the post of Bank of Jamaica Governor today and now by Keith Duncan, have played a significant role in monitoring and reporting on the various aspects of our economy.  There is an IMF standby agreement, but Keith Duncan makes it clear: “This is Jamaica’s Plan, not an IMF Plan.”

However, we cannot rest on our laurels.  With a new wave of school-leavers and university graduates in the job market, we have to be creative in supporting business start-ups and employment opportunities. Mr van Trotsenburg notes, “Despite unemployment at a new low, still too many young people are struggling to find a job. For Jamaica to continue to grow and prosper, it also needs to develop the skills for the workforce of tomorrow, especially in the areas of technology and digitalization. This requires a sharp focus on creating the conditions for youths to strive and succeed in the modern business world and close cooperation with the private sector in this respect.”

Digital transformation

Mr van Trotsenburg’s timely advice on technology and digitalization must be taken seriously and acted on urgently. As we type an email and see sentences being eerily completed in our writing style, we understand how much artificial intelligence has insinuated itself into our lives. Indeed ‘google’ is now more verb than noun as it is the library that sits in our smartphone. 

IDB Caribbean Manager Therese Turner-Jones and Minister of Science, Energy and Technology Fayval Williams have challenged us to stay in step digitally with developed countries on whom we depend for trade and investment.

In an address at the Mona School of Business in June, reported by Abbion Robinson in the Jamaica Observer, Minister Williams reminded, “We are in the digital era where the only constant is change. The technological revolution and transformation which are characteristics of the digital age have significantly changed and reshaped the way we operate on a daily basis and in business.”

She concluded: “Our future is digital in many respects and we cannot, at this moment, even begin to fathom the extent and the reach of this transformation … I implore you to equip your business and leaders to evolve with times.”

Here again “the conspiracy of mediocrity” (my words) can rear its ugly head.  Technology-averse managers may exclude bright young workers who can create greater efficiencies for their companies, thus holding back not only promising personnel but also the organisation at large.  This is a time when boards of governance must be vigilant, lest they find themselves endorsing flat-footed response to the business imperative of digital transformation.

I congratulate our Jamaican innovators for setting the pace, including tech pioneer Ingrid Riley, Edward Alexander and Christopher Reckord of tTech, Tyrone Reid of iCreate Institute, Gordon Swaby of Edufocal, Kadeem Petgrave of Educatours and Kemal Brown of Digita Global. They have helped us to see the huge promise of technology – it’s a promise that will take Jamaica to more places than we can ever imagine.

Digitally reaching seniors

Our budget was modest, so we used MailChimp, Facebook and Twitter to promote a new health insurance plan for seniors. It worked. Hundreds turned out for the launch of the new CCRP health plan last Wednesday and we had a continuous stream of applicants for the rest of the week. We have heard of social media platforms being used for negative purposes, but without these, low-budget organisations which seek to do good would be at a disadvantage. 

What we have been noticing however, is that some seniors who have smartphones are using them to make calls only. One lady said, “There was I trying to figure out this WhatsApp and the next thing I know, my friend is calling me to ask me why I sent her a photo of my feet!” Spare some time to sit with your elders and walk them through the nifty apps that will make them more engaged. Load up some of their favourite music as well.

This is Jamaica, my Jamaica

Observer column published 12 August 2019

by Jean Lowrie-Chin

We are awash with patriotism after several weeks of Independence celebrations, topped by the sparkling performance of Team Jamaica at the Pan American Games. We now know the financial status of both our Prime Minister and our Leader of the Opposition, and we have vocal private sector and civic organisations. Our stock market continues on its growth track and we are in the top ten in the world for freedom of the press. Even as we mourn the passing of Doreen Clemetson, Elaine Perkins, Ken Chaplin, Tony Young and Prof Barrie Hanchard, the tributes recounting their accomplishments remind us of our own possibilities. 

We are watching the transformation of our waterfront into a bustling commercial district by day and a relaxing entertainment spot by night. We are transfixed by theatre offerings – the 57^th Season of our National Dance Theatre Company had someone commenting after the Kumina finale, “What a performance – Rex Nettleford is smiling down!”  

We checked out the AC Marriott on Lady Musgrave Road with a visiting friend. It was packed and happy, giving off a downtown New York vibe.

We were back in Negril last weekend and discovered a well-appointed new restaurant, Matthews in an upscale shopping centre, and again visited the down-home Public House.  We didn’t venture near the seven-mile beach because Dream Weekend was in session and the traffic was heavy.  All along the palm-tree lined Norman Manley Boulevard was a mix of top hotels, villas, restaurants and countless jerk vendors.

Our challenges

But here is the problem my sisters and brothers. On our way back to Kingston, we passed three road crashes in Hanover, Trelawny and St. Ann, each one worse than the other.  The crash on the St. Ann Highway involved three vehicles, two of which were crumpled beyond repair, and there was a man lying motionless on the ground. On several occasions, we had to move to the soft shoulder to avoid oncoming over-takers. Why does this madness continue? We hear stories about corruption, about a system unable to enforce the law so that notorious taxi drivers are still on the road, terrorizing the rest of us.

Of course, we had to stop at the SOE checkpoints, the youthful soldiers and police polite and patient in the sweltering heat and wondered at the cold-hearted violence which has brought our western parishes and part of St. Catherine to this sorry pass. My morning walks with my neighbours are no more since the incidents of hold-ups near our homes.

The excellent movie ‘Sprinter’, which last week won the Award for Favorite Narrative Feature at the 2019 BlackStar Film Fest in the US, explores the issue of ‘barrel children’ whose parents migrate to provide for their families.  Why were so many families torn apart leaving children without the ritual of family life so important to their formation?

 I remember the terror in a household worker’s eyes when someone suggested that she and her family may have to move to Kingston. She, the mother of three sons said there would be nowhere safe for them; she was fearful that they would become a part of those sad inner-city statistics. Our office attendant lives in an area where she cannot return home after dark. She recounts days when she has had to dodge bullets to get to work in the mornings.

To our leaders, grant true wisdom

We are heartened that Prime Minister Andrew Holness has appealed to all politicians to cut their association with thugs. We all know what has transpired in the past with both political parties: it is an open secret whispered in hushed tones. We know.  So, let us now watch to see which politicians are still surrounding themselves with those cold-eyed gangsters. It is time, leaders, to set your people in the garrisons free. It is time to stop telling your thugs to go burn down the houses of those of another political party.

The energy that has been used to meet with those thugs, to keep citizens under siege, to stir fear in the hearts of parents for their children, could have been used to meet with decent people in constituencies, to create community centres where all could enjoy sports and social events, where young people could be trained.

My past experiences with the Social Development Commission have not been great but I see encouraging postings from one of their top executives, Omar Frith.  Operation HOPE being led by the Jamaica Defence Force and HEART-NTA are giving us renewed faith. 

The challenge for those who step up to political leadership is to set the best example to their fellow Jamaicans and to work to lift up this Nation that they swore on the Bible to lead with integrity.  There were yesterdays of shame and pain and sorrow, but our leaders can transform themselves and their followers with tomorrows of courage and dignity and joy.  They can tap into the discipline of those performers at the Gala, those hard-working farmers at Denbigh, those culinary artists on show, those beautiful children dancing and reciting, those teachers who go the extra mile, and those elders who are nurturing and schooling their grandchildren in the absence of their parents. 

Have a heart politicians – they are the ones who are funding your vehicles, your security detail, your airconditioned offices and parliamentary meetings, your trips around the world. Every time they buy a phone card, they are funding your superior way of life.  You should be serving them gratefully, with every breath that you take.

THALIA LYN 2019 PSOJ HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE

Founder and CEO of Island Grill, Mrs. Thalia Lyn, O.D. , J.P. has been announced as the Hall of Fame inductee for 2019 – an honour awarded by The Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ). Mrs. Lyn is the 27th business leader and second woman to be inducted to the prestigious Private Sector Hall of Fame. She is a savvy businesswoman and this selection reestablishes her iconic status as a visionary, underlined by her creation of the indigenous Island Grill chain – which delivers a fast food option which embodies their "Eat Good, Live Good" mantra using Jamaican ingredients - throughout Jamaica and Barbados, from 19 locations. Mrs. Lyn's contribution to nation building goes beyond her innovation in the quick service restaurant industry. The high regard for her brilliance and entrepreneurial acumen has landed her on several boards and committees. She is currently the Chairperson for the NCB Foundation and a Director of the NCB Financial Group. In addition, handful of the other boards she serves on include, Island Catering Limited (Jamaica & Barbados), Island Grill Holdings Limited, Jamaica Macaroni Factory Ltd. and Port Royal Patties (UK). Her philanthropic endeavours are diverse and further enhance her legacy. The 2019 PSOJ Hall of Fame is an activist for gender equality and the less fortunate and is credited with procuring immeasurable support for Jamaica, particularly the Mustard Seed Communities- which operates 14 homes across Jamaica, where she serves as Director. She was one of the first signatories to the UN Women Win-Win Program, Co-Patron of the UWI/CB 5K, Director of the Oracabessa Foundation, supporting the Blue Economy and the PSOJ's own Gender & Disabilities Affairs Committee, among others. Thalia Lyn has over 40 years' experience in the private sector and serves as the Honorary Consul General for Jamaica, Kingdom of Thailand, promoting trade between the two countries. This Immaculate Conception High School past student, was inducted into the inaugural ICHS Hall of Fame. She is a mother of two, a grandmother of four and has been married for 52 years. She furthered her education by securing her Bachelor of Arts from Mahattanville College in New York and completing the Canadian Securities Course. Mrs. Lyn is to be conferred with an Honorary Degree, Doctor of Laws (LLD) by the University of the West Indies in November of this year. The PSOJ's Private Sector Hall of Fame was established in 1992. The award honours esteemed business leaders who have made significant contributions to the development of the private sector and Jamaica and pays tribute to three important traits – successful entrepreneurship, leadership and character. Mrs. Lyn joins an esteemed list of 26 previous inductees, including last year's recipient, ICD Group Chairman Joseph M. Matalon and 2017 recipient former Sagicor Group Chairman and newly appointed Bank of Jamaica Governor Richard O. Byles. The PSOJ Private Sector Hall of Fame Banquet takes place at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel Ballroom on October 29, 2019.