Earl Jarrett (right), Chief Executive Officer of The Jamaica National Group, makes a point to Research Officer at the Caribbean Policy Research Institute (CaPRI), Shanike Smart, following the Diaspora Growth Forum organised by The Jamaica National Group at the Jamaica 55 Diaspora Conference. Also participating in the animated discussion is Michael Lee Chin, Chairman of the Economic Growth Council (EGC), and Dr David Panton, Chairman of the EGC Diaspora Task Force. CaPRI presented a study highlighting the real contribution of the Diaspora to the Jamaican economy. The Jamaica 55 Diaspora Conference is being held at the Jamaica Conference Centre in downtown Kingston from July 24-27.
Lamenting that young Jamaicans have never experienced economic growth in their lifetime, Chairman of the Economic Growth Council (ECG), Michael Lee Chin, yesterday (July 25) emphasised that the ECG is focused on building the confidence of Jamaicans.
Speaking at the Diaspora Growth Forum, organised by The Jamaica National Group, at the Jamaica 55 Diaspora Conference, the Jamaican born and raised Canadian billionaire, noted that very marginal growth for the past two decades has resulted in hopelessness among many Jamaicans.
“All they know is stagnation! Which means that you have young graduates with no opportunities to get a job and live an independent life. No growth means having no incentive to go to school; hence, there is an expectation of hopelessness,” he argued.
He says low growth over the years have also resulted in the devaluation of the country’s assets; low confidence, corruption; poorly educated graduates and apathy, among other issues.
“Growth will reverse all of those conditions. So ladies and gentlemen it is our collective responsibility to ensure that we do everything possible and that we can to promote growth in Jamaica,” he said, emphasising that “Growth in the economy would result in a revaluation of the nation’s assets; minimise crime and reduce the need for emigration of the country’s bright minds.”
“High growth will cause a reset of societal values. High growth will ensure our currency is stable. And high growth will cause us to have a confident society,” he underscored, pointing to the ECG’s mandate to grow the Jamaican economy by five per cent in four years.
However, he noted that the vital signs for economic growth were currently positive, pointing to the size of the Net International Reserves (NIR) and consumer confidence. He said that the country also has the confidence of the multilaterals.
The Bank of Jamaica reported NIR at more than US$2.6 billion in its July 7 release; while the Consumer Confidence Index stood at a high 137.1 basis points in the second quarter of 2017, although slightly below last quarter’s 139.3 and the all-time peak of 144.6 set in the first quarter of 2016.
To increase growth, Mr Lee Chin said the country will need to reduce “friction” and increase “horsepower.”
He said in order to create wealth the country must treat with three conditions: economic perception versus reality; inefficiencies; and the lack of equity capital, which it can capitalise on to create wealth.
“The conditions are set for wealth and its happening,” he affirmed. “If you do not get on the train now, it’s going to leave you… you can invest in your country, do well, do good and have lots of money.”
Other speakers at the Diaspora Growth Forum were Dr David Panton, Chairman of the ECG Diaspora Task Force; Shanike Smart, Research Officer, Caribbean Policy Research Institute and Daryl Vaz, Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation. The forum was chaired by Earl Jarrett, Chief Executive Officer, The Jamaica National Group.
