JMA Online News
Azan urges Gov't to refocus on development
Written by: Jamaica Observer
Date: 2010-07-01
Newly -re-elected president of the Jamaica Manufacturer’s Association (JMA) Omar Azan (centre), flanked by past-president Charles Henderson-Davis (left), and deputy-president Brian Pengelley at the JMA’s annual general meeting yesterday in Kingston. (Photo: Joseph Wellington)
NEWLY re-elected president of the Jamaica Manufacturer's Association's (JMA), Omar Azan yesterday urged the Government to refocus on development following the recent extradition of Christopher 'Dudus' Coke, which ended a 10-month drama.
He said that poverty and criminality remain high despite the extradition, and improvements in key economic indicators.
"With the extradition behind us we must now focus on responsible and progressive leadership, reducing incidents of crime and violence, providing the essential services and improving the welfare of persons living in troubled communities," he said in his acceptance speech at the JMA's annual general meeting held on Duke Street in Kingston. "We must also double up our efforts into rebuilding Jamaica's image and encouraging investment and visitors to the island."
The two-day unrest in May sparked by the confrontation between the security forces and gunmen loyal to Coke, resulted in 73 civilian deaths and over $100 million in losses to manufacturing businesses in downtown Kingston, Azan revealed two weeks ago.
"Let us, as media practitioners, manufacturers and individual citizens, be our own ambassadors and help in the thrust to remove the negative perceptions that exist by telling the world about all that is good about Jamaica," stated Azan whose presidency began in 2009.
Last Thursday's extradition of Coke, the former strongman of the West Kingston community of Tivoli Gardens, ended 10 months of strained relations between Washington and Kingston, which was triggered by an extradition request from the US on August 25, 2009. Coke was wanted by US law enforcers to face charges related to cocaine trafficking and the smuggling of guns.
Turning to the economy, Azan welcomed the lowering of treasury bill rates, whilst congratulating RBTT Bank for lending US$10 million ($859 million) to the manufacturing sector at 7.5 per cent. However, he wants the Jamaican dollar to remain stable following its surprise four per cent revaluation over three months against its US counterpart.
Also, he said that the challenges to the sector still include increased access to cheap interest rates, the high cost of energy and sectoral under-performance.
"There is no reason for the levels of poverty that we have when there are vital sectors [that need] greater investment such as agriculture, tourism and manufacturing which complement each other. If only the linkages were being created from the get go. I call for balanced support to all sectors," he stated. Future initiatives will include partnering with the Jamaica Productivity Centre, and developing a centre of excellence at the JMA in 2011.
The other members of the JMA board are:
* Brian Pengelley (deputy president);
* Jodie Summerbell (treasurer);
* Milverton Smith;
* Paulette Rhoden;
* Ian Forbes;
* Steven Sykes;
* Simon Roberts;
* Christopher Ramson;
* Harry Harper;
* Christopher Powell; and
* David Martin
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