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NEWS IN BRIEF
FOR GENERAL DISTRIBUTION
Top News in the Print Media: The JIS, The Gleaner & The Observer
From the Overseas Department, Jamaica Information Service
Thursday September 18, 2003
ASSAMBA BATS FOR LOCAL FIRMS
The Gleaner: Minister of Industry and Tourism, Aloun N'dombet Assamba, has promised to encourage the Government to purchase at least 10 per cent of its inputs from Jamaican firms.
"No significant level of growth will take place in the economy without the manufacturing sector playing a fundamental role in the process. And so, I will encourage the Government, one of the largest purchasers of supplies in the local economy, to have at least 10 per cent of their procurement from local industry," the Minister told the monthly meeting of the board of directors of the Jamaica Manufacturers Association (JMA) yesterday.
To facilitate the move, Assamba encouraged the members of the JMA to put on an expo to showcase their products to the various ministries.
SCOTLAND YARD DETECTIVES HERE
The Gleaner: As the international media firestorm mushrooms over the gangland killing of seven-year-old Toni-Ann Byfield, and her father, former crack dealer Bertram Byfield, three Scotland Yard detectives arrived at the Norman Manley International airport yesterday afternoon.
Although tight-lipped about the case and their possible rendezvous with Christine Richards, the mother of Toni-Ann, one of the detectives promised that "there would be a press conference held tomorrow (today) between 5:00 and 6:00 p.m." to discuss the issue.
SPOT MARKET WEIGHTED AVERAGE RATE
CURRENCY___PURCHASES_____SALES
__US$_______59.2829_____59.5358
__CAN$______42.1225_____43.2591
__GB£_______94.1360_____95.0150
RESORT PATROL CHANGES
The Gleaner: Sweeping changes have been made to the Government's Resort Patrol and anti-harassment programmes after a critical examination by the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo).
According to Dr. Wyekham McNeill, State Minister in the Ministry of Industry and Tourism, the changes should result in savings of over $46 million annually. He announced this Tuesday in his contribution to the 2003/2004 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives.
"What is interesting is that the restructured programme will see increased patrols in the resort areas at the most critical times during the day and a closer working relationship with the police," Dr. McNeill said. He added that the Government anticipates that it will be able to maintain the core functions of the resort patrol while making the significant changes to its operations.
PAHO SEEKS SUPPORT OF COMPANIES
The Observer: The Pan American Health Organisation yesterday met with representatives of several companies, as it seeks support for the Voluntary Blood Donor Programme to boost supplies at the Blood Bank.
PAHO wants these companies to get their staff to donate blood once per year.
"The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies have estimated that for a nation to meet its needs it should collect at least 50 blood units per 1,000 inhabitants," Dr Manuel Pena, PAHO's representative to Jamaica, said yesterday.
The Voluntary Blood Programme was launched last year, with the aim to move from a system of replacement donation to one of completely voluntary donations in seven years.
JIS NEWS
Thursday September 18, 2003
TOURIST ARRIVALS UP
Dr. Wykeham McNeill, Minister of State in the Ministry of Industry and Tourism, has said that there has been strong, positive movement in the sector so far this year, with stopover arrivals for January to July growing by seven per cent over the same period in 2002.
He said there were 144,000 stopovers in the month of July alone, which was the highest recorded for any given month in the country’s history. Meanwhile, figures for the month of August showed an 8.7 per cent increase over the same period last year and projections are that the year should end with arrival figures of 2.4 per cent over 2000, giving the island its best year in tourism to date.
Dr. McNeill, who was making his contribution to the Sectoral Debate in Gordon House on September 16, informed that tourist arrivals from Europe had increased by some 25 per cent, with substantial increases recorded from the United Kingdom, Italy and the Netherlands.
ENERGY COORDINATOR TO BE APPOINTED
Cabinet has approved the appointment of an Energy Coordinator who will assume responsibility for maximising energy use efficiencies in the public sector.
The announcement was made by Information Minister, Senator Burchell Whiteman, as he addressed Monday’s (Sept.15) post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House.
Among the duties of the Energy Coordinator will be to enhance solar energy use in hospitals by advancing a retrofitting programme and to extend the programme to the public sector where applicable.
In addition, the 3,000 houses, which are to be built in western Kingston as part of the inner city/urban renewal housing project, will utilise solar energy, while programmes to encourage energy savings, including the provision of incentives, would also be dealt with.
FRANKLYN TO ADDRESS UK INVESTMENT SEMINAR
State Minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Delano Franklyn will be one of three Jamaican presenters at an investment seminar in London next month. Minister Franklyn has special responsibility for Jamaicans Overseas.
Other presenters at the seminar set for October 3, at the Commonwealth Institute in Kensington, London, include Dennis Morrison, Chairman of the Jamaica Tourist Board and Earl Jarrett, Jamaica National Building Society’s (JNBS) General Manager.
The JNBS is organising the seminar, which is intended to provide an overview of the current economic and investment climate in Jamaica. It is also intended to encourage more second and third generation Jamaicans in the United Kingdom to think positively about Jamaica and consider investing in the country.
OPTIMIST CLUB REACHES OUT
Seventeen physically and mentally challenged children from the Mustard Seed community of Widow’s Mite, in Murray Mount, St. Ann, have benefited from the donation of a four-burner gas stove, valued at $25,000, for the preparation of their meals.
The stove, donated by the Optimist Club of Bamboo in the parish, was handed over on Tuesday (Sept. 16) to the institution.
Speaking at the presentation ceremony, president of the club, Sharon Meredith, said the gift was acquired through contributions from business persons in and around the community, as well as fundraising efforts of the club.
Contact: Celia Lindsay
For further information about any of these news items,contact the Overseas Department at
[email protected]
. The Jamaica Information Service web page address is
www.jis.gov.jm
.Telephone: (876) 926-3740-8 / 926-3590-8, Fax: (876) 926-6715
COMMENTARY
Thursday September 18, 2003
THE OBSERVER
MORE ACTION, LESS TALK
QUITE frankly, it has become an overused line. Each time the Cabinet goes into retreat, or meets with private sector bosses, the grand announcement is made that tourism has been identified for special attention to stimulate economic growth in the short term.
The latest proclamation was made just over a week ago after this month's Cabinet retreat. The executive, we were told, had approved "a framework for a co-ordinated and multifaceted approach to the development of tourism in Jamaica over the next 10 years, as outlined in the Tourism Master Plan".
We have a penchant for announcements in this country. Our politicians and public officials revel in the spotlight they generate, and the public seem satisfied whenever they are made.
The problem is that many of these announcements remain just that -- announcements. In most instances, very little follow-up is done to ensure that promises are kept. The reason, we believe, is that this requires rigour and a dedication to duty that is sadly lacking at all levels of government.
Given the precedent set by this administration, the tourism industry should not expect much in the way of support for the development of the industry. Of course, the Government will point to new hotel investments it has attracted, particularly from Spain, as an example of its accomplishments. But while we welcome the new rooms, tourism needs much more to be sustainable.
The product as it is, requires upgrading. Our resort towns need to be cleaned and made to stay that way via an efficient and sustained maintenance programme; not the flash-in-the-pan type of effort that has been used over the past 20 years in preparation for each winter season.
New attractions will increase the island's competitiveness. Therefore, the Government would do well to offer the types of incentives that would encourage not only Jamaicans, but foreign leisure firms to invest here.
What of the Port Royal project? Why is it taking so long to get that going?
The point of our argument is, essentially, that the Government needs to forego the announcements and simply get going on projects. People would much better appreciate the completed work, rather than be listening to a government official's description and trying to imagine a picture.
THE GLEANER
THE CANCUN STALEMATE
GIVEN OUR domestic uncertainties and renewed outbreaks of crime and violence, we doubt whether many Jamaicans care or understand why the World Trade Organisation (WTO) talks in Cancun, Mexico, have ended without a final document being agreed. In theatrical terms, the five-day conference was a dramatic confrontation of the rich countries, personified by the United States and members of the European Union versus the developing nations of the world which, in fact, constitute two-thirds of the membership of the WTO.
The African, Caribbean and Pacific States, of which CARICOM countries are important members, formed an alliance with members of the African Union and the Least Developed Countries so that their common views on agricultural policy and market access would resonate more powerfully in the corridors of power. In fact, Mr. K.D. Knight who led Jamaica's delegation to the conference was invited into the inner sanctum of the so-called "green room" to help negotiate a last-minute compromise.
This was not to be. The Cancun meeting has ended in stalemate which some lobby groups see as a victory for justice and morality. Be this as it may, we are not sure that the future looks any brighter for Jamaica which, despite the eloquence of its pleading, may have yet to be resigned to globalisation in which there is little or no flexibility to accommodate the needs of poor countries.
Two main issues are involved in the debate. The developing countries want more time to put their economies in order before having to face the rigours of unmitigated international competition. But the rich countries feel that we have been using this as an excuse for inaction and that unless we are thrown into the deep end of the pool we will never learn to swim.
The other main issue involves agricultural subsidies. Why should America insist that we stop subsidising our farmers while it continues to subsidise its farmers? This argument is logically and morally indisputable and we can take intellectual satisfaction from expounding it. But are we in doing so, cutting off our nose to spite our face?
If America did remove its farm subsidies, this would put up the cost of American agricultural products, many of which we simply cannot do without e.g. corn, rice, wheat. This in turn would cause the price of locally produced agricultural items to increase for lack of competition and the cost of living for the general population would escalate accordingly.
FOR GENERAL DISTRIBUTION
Top News in the Print Media: The JIS, The Gleaner & The Observer
From the Overseas Department, Jamaica Information Service
Thursday September 18, 2003
ASSAMBA BATS FOR LOCAL FIRMS
The Gleaner: Minister of Industry and Tourism, Aloun N'dombet Assamba, has promised to encourage the Government to purchase at least 10 per cent of its inputs from Jamaican firms.
"No significant level of growth will take place in the economy without the manufacturing sector playing a fundamental role in the process. And so, I will encourage the Government, one of the largest purchasers of supplies in the local economy, to have at least 10 per cent of their procurement from local industry," the Minister told the monthly meeting of the board of directors of the Jamaica Manufacturers Association (JMA) yesterday.
To facilitate the move, Assamba encouraged the members of the JMA to put on an expo to showcase their products to the various ministries.
SCOTLAND YARD DETECTIVES HERE
The Gleaner: As the international media firestorm mushrooms over the gangland killing of seven-year-old Toni-Ann Byfield, and her father, former crack dealer Bertram Byfield, three Scotland Yard detectives arrived at the Norman Manley International airport yesterday afternoon.
Although tight-lipped about the case and their possible rendezvous with Christine Richards, the mother of Toni-Ann, one of the detectives promised that "there would be a press conference held tomorrow (today) between 5:00 and 6:00 p.m." to discuss the issue.
SPOT MARKET WEIGHTED AVERAGE RATE
CURRENCY___PURCHASES_____SALES
__US$_______59.2829_____59.5358
__CAN$______42.1225_____43.2591
__GB£_______94.1360_____95.0150
RESORT PATROL CHANGES
The Gleaner: Sweeping changes have been made to the Government's Resort Patrol and anti-harassment programmes after a critical examination by the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo).
According to Dr. Wyekham McNeill, State Minister in the Ministry of Industry and Tourism, the changes should result in savings of over $46 million annually. He announced this Tuesday in his contribution to the 2003/2004 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives.
"What is interesting is that the restructured programme will see increased patrols in the resort areas at the most critical times during the day and a closer working relationship with the police," Dr. McNeill said. He added that the Government anticipates that it will be able to maintain the core functions of the resort patrol while making the significant changes to its operations.
PAHO SEEKS SUPPORT OF COMPANIES
The Observer: The Pan American Health Organisation yesterday met with representatives of several companies, as it seeks support for the Voluntary Blood Donor Programme to boost supplies at the Blood Bank.
PAHO wants these companies to get their staff to donate blood once per year.
"The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies have estimated that for a nation to meet its needs it should collect at least 50 blood units per 1,000 inhabitants," Dr Manuel Pena, PAHO's representative to Jamaica, said yesterday.
The Voluntary Blood Programme was launched last year, with the aim to move from a system of replacement donation to one of completely voluntary donations in seven years.
JIS NEWS
Thursday September 18, 2003
TOURIST ARRIVALS UP
Dr. Wykeham McNeill, Minister of State in the Ministry of Industry and Tourism, has said that there has been strong, positive movement in the sector so far this year, with stopover arrivals for January to July growing by seven per cent over the same period in 2002.
He said there were 144,000 stopovers in the month of July alone, which was the highest recorded for any given month in the country’s history. Meanwhile, figures for the month of August showed an 8.7 per cent increase over the same period last year and projections are that the year should end with arrival figures of 2.4 per cent over 2000, giving the island its best year in tourism to date.
Dr. McNeill, who was making his contribution to the Sectoral Debate in Gordon House on September 16, informed that tourist arrivals from Europe had increased by some 25 per cent, with substantial increases recorded from the United Kingdom, Italy and the Netherlands.
ENERGY COORDINATOR TO BE APPOINTED
Cabinet has approved the appointment of an Energy Coordinator who will assume responsibility for maximising energy use efficiencies in the public sector.
The announcement was made by Information Minister, Senator Burchell Whiteman, as he addressed Monday’s (Sept.15) post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House.
Among the duties of the Energy Coordinator will be to enhance solar energy use in hospitals by advancing a retrofitting programme and to extend the programme to the public sector where applicable.
In addition, the 3,000 houses, which are to be built in western Kingston as part of the inner city/urban renewal housing project, will utilise solar energy, while programmes to encourage energy savings, including the provision of incentives, would also be dealt with.
FRANKLYN TO ADDRESS UK INVESTMENT SEMINAR
State Minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Delano Franklyn will be one of three Jamaican presenters at an investment seminar in London next month. Minister Franklyn has special responsibility for Jamaicans Overseas.
Other presenters at the seminar set for October 3, at the Commonwealth Institute in Kensington, London, include Dennis Morrison, Chairman of the Jamaica Tourist Board and Earl Jarrett, Jamaica National Building Society’s (JNBS) General Manager.
The JNBS is organising the seminar, which is intended to provide an overview of the current economic and investment climate in Jamaica. It is also intended to encourage more second and third generation Jamaicans in the United Kingdom to think positively about Jamaica and consider investing in the country.
OPTIMIST CLUB REACHES OUT
Seventeen physically and mentally challenged children from the Mustard Seed community of Widow’s Mite, in Murray Mount, St. Ann, have benefited from the donation of a four-burner gas stove, valued at $25,000, for the preparation of their meals.
The stove, donated by the Optimist Club of Bamboo in the parish, was handed over on Tuesday (Sept. 16) to the institution.
Speaking at the presentation ceremony, president of the club, Sharon Meredith, said the gift was acquired through contributions from business persons in and around the community, as well as fundraising efforts of the club.
Contact: Celia Lindsay
For further information about any of these news items,contact the Overseas Department at
[email protected]
. The Jamaica Information Service web page address is
www.jis.gov.jm
.Telephone: (876) 926-3740-8 / 926-3590-8, Fax: (876) 926-6715
COMMENTARY
Thursday September 18, 2003
THE OBSERVER
MORE ACTION, LESS TALK
QUITE frankly, it has become an overused line. Each time the Cabinet goes into retreat, or meets with private sector bosses, the grand announcement is made that tourism has been identified for special attention to stimulate economic growth in the short term.
The latest proclamation was made just over a week ago after this month's Cabinet retreat. The executive, we were told, had approved "a framework for a co-ordinated and multifaceted approach to the development of tourism in Jamaica over the next 10 years, as outlined in the Tourism Master Plan".
We have a penchant for announcements in this country. Our politicians and public officials revel in the spotlight they generate, and the public seem satisfied whenever they are made.
The problem is that many of these announcements remain just that -- announcements. In most instances, very little follow-up is done to ensure that promises are kept. The reason, we believe, is that this requires rigour and a dedication to duty that is sadly lacking at all levels of government.
Given the precedent set by this administration, the tourism industry should not expect much in the way of support for the development of the industry. Of course, the Government will point to new hotel investments it has attracted, particularly from Spain, as an example of its accomplishments. But while we welcome the new rooms, tourism needs much more to be sustainable.
The product as it is, requires upgrading. Our resort towns need to be cleaned and made to stay that way via an efficient and sustained maintenance programme; not the flash-in-the-pan type of effort that has been used over the past 20 years in preparation for each winter season.
New attractions will increase the island's competitiveness. Therefore, the Government would do well to offer the types of incentives that would encourage not only Jamaicans, but foreign leisure firms to invest here.
What of the Port Royal project? Why is it taking so long to get that going?
The point of our argument is, essentially, that the Government needs to forego the announcements and simply get going on projects. People would much better appreciate the completed work, rather than be listening to a government official's description and trying to imagine a picture.
THE GLEANER
THE CANCUN STALEMATE
GIVEN OUR domestic uncertainties and renewed outbreaks of crime and violence, we doubt whether many Jamaicans care or understand why the World Trade Organisation (WTO) talks in Cancun, Mexico, have ended without a final document being agreed. In theatrical terms, the five-day conference was a dramatic confrontation of the rich countries, personified by the United States and members of the European Union versus the developing nations of the world which, in fact, constitute two-thirds of the membership of the WTO.
The African, Caribbean and Pacific States, of which CARICOM countries are important members, formed an alliance with members of the African Union and the Least Developed Countries so that their common views on agricultural policy and market access would resonate more powerfully in the corridors of power. In fact, Mr. K.D. Knight who led Jamaica's delegation to the conference was invited into the inner sanctum of the so-called "green room" to help negotiate a last-minute compromise.
This was not to be. The Cancun meeting has ended in stalemate which some lobby groups see as a victory for justice and morality. Be this as it may, we are not sure that the future looks any brighter for Jamaica which, despite the eloquence of its pleading, may have yet to be resigned to globalisation in which there is little or no flexibility to accommodate the needs of poor countries.
Two main issues are involved in the debate. The developing countries want more time to put their economies in order before having to face the rigours of unmitigated international competition. But the rich countries feel that we have been using this as an excuse for inaction and that unless we are thrown into the deep end of the pool we will never learn to swim.
The other main issue involves agricultural subsidies. Why should America insist that we stop subsidising our farmers while it continues to subsidise its farmers? This argument is logically and morally indisputable and we can take intellectual satisfaction from expounding it. But are we in doing so, cutting off our nose to spite our face?
If America did remove its farm subsidies, this would put up the cost of American agricultural products, many of which we simply cannot do without e.g. corn, rice, wheat. This in turn would cause the price of locally produced agricultural items to increase for lack of competition and the cost of living for the general population would escalate accordingly.