PSOJ

I am excited to be here this morning at the launch of WEConnect Jamaica. When Yaneek approached me to give an endorsement, I gave my consent without hesitation, as I am a firm believer in women seeking economic empowerment through entrepreneurship. I don’t have to go very far to see this in action either, as my wife Gillian is among the thousands of female entrepreneurs in the country.

WEConnect’s mission is to empower women business owners to succeed in global markets, while their vision is a world where women business owners have equal opportunity to sell their solutions and create prosperity. Jamaica is the first country in the Caribbean to partner with WEConnect International, which is without a doubt a significant achievement for the country. It is the perfect opportunity for us, as we are populated with a large number of female business owners, who I know will benefit greatly from WEConnect’s vast connections and their ability to connect them to global markets.

The World Business Council for sustainable development defines corporate social responsibility or CSR as, “the continuing commitment by businesses to contribute to economic development, while improving the quality of life of the workforce and their families, as well as of the community and society at large.” Simply put: business is not divorced from the rest of society. Instead, the two are interdependent and it must be ensured that through mutual understanding and responsible behaviour, business’ role in building a better future is recognised and encouraged by society.

Ladies and Gentlemen, good afternoon and thank you for inviting me to address you today. I would like to wish you all a happy and healthy 2013 and hope that this year you redouble your commitment to serving your community through the Lions Club.

“They got so much things to say right now, they got so much things to say”…..the words of the immortal Bob Marley.

Ladies and Gentlemen, good afternoon and thank you for inviting me this afternoon to share some thoughts with you on the Jamaican Economy from the PSOJ’s perspective.

I sincerely hope that you all did not suffer greatly from the passage of Hurricane Sandy, and I would like on behalf of the PSOJ to offer our sympathy towards and unity with, all Jamaicans who have suffered physical or emotional loss as a result of this devastating storm. We also want to offer our thoughts and concern for those affected so badly in the North-eastern United States by the Hurricane and in particular members of the Jamaican Diaspora who live in the affected areas. The passage of Sandy here and in the USA has significant implications for the Jamaican Economy and the full effect will unfold over coming weeks, so I would not want to comment further at this time.

I am pleased to be here this afternoon to address your Annual General Meeting, and especially to help celebrate the launch of your booklet titled “A lesson in Introducing Change – The Journey to ISO Certification”.

I doubt that the public is aware of the breadth of JSIF’s reach and the impressive work being done by this organisation, which ranges from supporting critical infrastructure development, and implementing social services in less developed communities all across the island, to donating ambulances to improving primary schools and community centres. Your various projects continue to meet the needs of the poor and vulnerable, and support the development of our society. I note with interest that last year your organisation approved a record 166 sub-projects at a cost of over $1.2 billion. Dare I say that you are one of the more successful government institutions in the country.

Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. It is my great pleasure today to share my thoughts on some pressing national issues with you and want to thank your executive team for inviting me. The rotary club of St Andrew is a shining example of what is good in Jamaica and I commend you all for your constant choice of service over self.

Today I wish to share with you the views of the private sector on what I believe in the short run is the most pressing economic issue facing our country, the pending IMF agreement.

Why an IMF agreement?

My challenge today is to present some ideas on how to stimulate changes in Jamaica that could lead to achieving knowledge society status. One could frame it as either a status or an objective depending on one’s perspective. Nevertheless this would be a highly desirable outcome for Jamaica’s society and a necessary one for a globally competitive Jamaican private sector. In fact, the private sector must drive for such a transformation but for this to be effective, to disrupt the Jamaican status quo in Jamaica.

See the full text of the Keynote Speaker, Mr. Giorgio Valentini, World Bank Representative in Jamaica

I AM PLEASED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE LAUNCH OF THIS PROJECT WHICH WE EXPECT WILL ALLOW THE YOUNG PEOPLE IN SOUTH ST. JAMES TO OPTIMISE THEIR POTENTIAL, ACQUIRE LIFE AND CAREER SKILLS, EARN A LIVING AND BECOME PRODUCTIVE CITIZENS OF JAMAICA.

I am pleased that, thanks to the generous support of our member Columbus Communications, Flow, The PSOJ has been given this opportunity to interact with our members and other key members of the business community in the “west”, through what we have dubbed our “President’s Forum”.

I want to begin by recognizing the critical importance of this forum as the government seeks to strengthen the partnership with the Private Sector in order to develop the programs and strategies to take Jamaica on a path of sustained economic growth and to improve the quality of life of the Jamaican people.

I BELIEVE, THROUGH THE BODY OF WORK UNDERLYING THE
PAYING TAXES REPORT AS WELL AS THE BROADER DOING
BUSINESS SURVEY,THAT THE WORLD BANK GROUP, TOGETHER
WITH THEIR PARTNERS PRICE WATERHOUSE HAVE PROVIDED
DATA OF INESTIMABLE VALUE, A COPY OF WHICH OUGHT TO SIT
ON THE DESKS OF NOT JUST POLICYMAKERS, BUT ALSO OF
ACTORS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR.

IT GIVES ME GREAT PLEASURE TO BE HERE WITH YOU THIS EVENING AT THIS AWARDS BANQUET AT WHICH COMPANIES LISTED ON THE JAMAICA STOCK EXCHANGE WILL RECEIVE A VARIETY OF BEST PRACTICE AWARDS. I COMMEND THE JSE FOR THE VERY IMPORTANT WORK THAT IT HAS BEEN DOING TO RAISE THE BAR IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THE NOW OVER 50 COMPANIES LISTED ON BOTH THE MAIN EXCHANGE AND THE JUNIOR MARKET. THE JSE HAS BEEN MAKING IMPORTANT STRIDES IN ENGENDERING BEST PRACTICES IN GOVERNANCE FOR COMPANIES LISTED ON THE EXCHANGE AND VERY IMPORTANTLY, PAVING THE WAY FOR SMALL AND MEDIUM SIZED COMPANIES TO PARTICIPATE IN OUR FLEDGLING CAPITAL MARKET AND HELPING TO INTEGRATE JAMAICA INTO THE GLOBAL ECONOMY.