Excerpt from the Jamaica Observer Column published Monday, April 17, 2023
By Jean Lowrie-Chin
With the exciting Carifta Games last weekend and Carnival activities over the past week, our lively Caribbean spirit is calling out to us.
Sure, we quarrelled over certain decisions during the Games, but that is what families do. Because of our linkages through The University of the West Indies and other tertiary institutions, we now have strong Caribbean extended families and fast friendships.
Savvy companies know that trading within the region brings the benefit of tax relief. My friend probably introduced Bridget Sandals to Trinidad because as far back as the 1990s, when she had to travel there on business, she would dedicate one large suitcase to those popular sandals and made some good bucks from selling them.
Sandals Resorts International was early off the mark as well, becoming the standard for all-inclusive excellence and still growing, employing thousands of Caribbean people and offering them solid training for growth opportunities. Such companies as CIBC First Caribbean International Bank, Marubeni, Sagicor, Digicel, Flow, Guardian Group, JMMB, Massy, Scotiabank, and International Game Technology (IGT) have dynamic presence. Their high-calibre Caribbean personnel holding their own in international business.
We scare each other with headlines about crime and violence, but when we turn to news further afield we realise that we are a relatively stable territory. Yes, Haiti is in urgent need of rescue from its out-of-control gangs, but the people can help their neighbours with their stunning artistic talents and craftsmanship. The gangs dominate reports, but little is said about the heroic, dignified Haitians who keep working, teaching, and nurturing each other. If we give up on Haiti, we would be depriving ourselves of one of the finest opportunities in the Caribbean.
Jamaica Highlights 