Month: December 2023

Stepping up and reaching out

Jamaica Observer column published Monday 11 December 2023

by Jean Lowrie-Chin

Keith Duncan.

Even the most cynical tribalist should pause to celebrate the findings of the Economic Programme Oversight Committee (EPOC) as Chairman Keith Duncan outlined the country’s economic achievements in the first six months of the current financial year, April to September 2023.

Duncan noted the key highlights:

• “For the second consecutive month, the inflation rate (5.1 per cent for October 2023) has remained within the BOJ’s [Bank of Jamaica] target range but is projected to rise above the target between December 2023 and March 2025.

• For April-September 2023, tax revenues exceeded the second supplementary estimates by $6.9 billion (1.8 per cent), while total expenditure was marginally in line with the budgeted estimates.

• Jamaica records a current account surplus (CAS) of US$241 million, marking the first surplus in over two decades.

• Net international reserves (NIR) stood at US$4.6 billion at end-October 31, 2023 and remain more than adequate

• Real GDP (gross domestic product) was estimated to have grown by 1.9 per cent for the July-September 2023 quarter.”

Duncan noted that tourist arrivals continue to exceed pre-COVID levels: “In the September 2023 quarter Jamaica welcomed 678,057 tourists, a year-over-year increase of 8.8 per cent. Visitor arrivals for the September 2023 quarter showed a 7.7 per cent increase compared to the pre-pandemic period of September 2019.” He said an additional 2,500 hotel rooms will be added next year as well.

International rating agencies have taken note of our progress, with the Moody’s Investor Service adjusting the country’s economic outlook from ‘stable’ to ‘positive’, following positive evaluations by Standard and Poor’s Global Ratings in September 2023 and Fitch Ratings in March 2023.

Project Star widens focus

Of course, the elephant in the room is crime. States of emergency have been declared in five parishes. Acknowledging that we must address the root of this national affliction, there are initiatives to hire more social workers and HEART/NSTA Trust courses are being offered free of charge.

Wearing another hat, Keith Duncan, founder of Project Star, the social and economic development initiative, will be extending the programme to the Salt Spring district in St James. The programme, which is a collaboration between the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica and the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), is focused on unattached youth, linking them to training and employment opportunities as well as involving them in sports activities.

We should acknowledge that the JCF has been the initiator of the largest sports club in Jamaica, which has influenced many young people for good and provides an excellent alliance for the work of Project Star. The project’s activities have been going strong in east downtown Kingston, Savanna-la-Mar, and May Pen.

Big boost for education

Over the past year the Digicel Jamaica Foundation has built out six ‘Smart Rooms’ at Mineral Heights Primary School, Four Paths Primary School, Homestead Primary School, Esher Primary School, Unity Primary School, and Morant Bay Primary School. Each Smart Room is equipped with the latest technology and interactive learning tools, including 12 laptops, 12 tablets, a smart board, and a printer. There are four other such projects in the pipeline.

Meanwhile, it is funding the extensive renovation underway at the Hope Valley Experimental Special Education Centre, described as “a beacon of inclusive education for special needs children”, and the early childhood institution at Bull Bay Primary and Infant School to ensure they are certified.

Charmaine Daniels, CEO of the Digicel Foundation, noted at the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Education, “We believe in the transformative power of education and are honoured to partner with these institutions. We are excited to contribute to the growth and development of these schools, ensuring that they provide the best educational experience for their students.”

Marubeni shares the joy

Marubeni senior executives distributed scores of care packages last Thursday at the Drews Avenue and Mountain View primary schools. Mo Majeed, CEO of Marubeni Caribbean power company; Damian Obiglio, senior vice-president (VP) for Caribbean operations; senior VP Keisuke Harada; and VP Takuya Kokawa assisted in unloading the hefty packages, each containing two weeks of groceries for a family of four.

Parents, teachers, and students at both schools gave a lively welcome to the group and children asked to hear Japanese expressions.

“This marks the second consecutive year that Marubeni has undertaken such a meaningful outreach programme with Food For the Poor,” said Majeed. “Last year we directed our efforts towards supporting the Hart Hill community in Portland, and this year we are extending our reach to touch the lives of students in Kingston… It is a hands-on approach as we are committed to making a difference through personal interaction with the people we serve.”

IGT supports teen moms

Last month, multinational International Gaming Technology company (IGT) upgraded its high-tech After School Advantage Centre at the Mustard Seed residence for teen mothers, Mary’s Child. IGT managers toured the facility recently, providing a memorable Christmas treat, gifting the 13 teenagers and 12 babies at the residence.

“The world has become more technology-centric… There is an unprecedented increase in women pursuing STEM careers, and the call for more women in STEM careers is ongoing,” advised Debbie Green, IGT Jamaica general manager. “This is an opportunity to make your mark.”

Since 2011, long before STEM buzz, IGT has been creating these well-equipped centres throughout the English-speaking Caribbean in charitable residences and community centres. Jamaica has 15 of the 40 now in operation.

CCRP reaches out

CCRP’s diligent Caring Committee members and parish representatives have been distributing packages of groceries and personal care products valued $650,000 to needy elders islandwide.

The willing participants are Caring Committee Chair Verla Seymour; former Chair Irene Walter; western convenor Dr Norma Taylor; north-east convenor Pixley Irons; board director Peter Mais for Portland; Reverend Franklyn Sephestine for St Thomas; Kingston and St Andrew parish representative Ludwig Streete; Rev Recardo Malcolm and Sister Yvonne Stevens of the Salem Circuit of Moravian Churches; Rev Barrington Litchmore; Patricia Christie and Elet DeSouza of Providence Church; central Jamaica Caring Committee members Peggy Russell and Leighton Ritch; Rev Monneica Duncan of St Marks Anglican Church; Rev Eddie Jennings of the Church of the Lord’s Transfiguration; Sonia Hurd and the Hope United Seniors Exercise Group; and Westmoreland parish representative Charmaine Allen.

iCreate Founder Wilson Is Back

If resilience were a person, its name would be Tyrone Wilson. The intrepid founder of iCreate, which has been listed on the Junior Stock Exchange since 2019, is back in the saddle as executive chairman after his resignation in September.

The young visionary had founded iCreate to provide skills training and development of creatives in Jamaica and the wider Caribbean. Thousands of creatives benefited from their courses, including 500 CCRP members to whom they offered free IT introductory courses.

iCreate’s reformulated board comprises Wilson, private equity investor Anthony Dunn, Adrian Smith, Larren Peart, and marketing expert Donovan White. I am acquainted with the latter two and have the highest respect for them.

With Visual Vibe and payment company WiPay as subsidiaries as well as the goodwill of their stakeholders, iCreate is geared for a successful re-embarkation.

Season’s Blessings

As I will be taking a few weeks off from my column, here’s wishing you all a safe and peaceful Christmas and a Happy New Year.

We’re feeling the heat

Jamaica Observer column published Monday 4, December 2023

by Jean Lowrie-Chin

Jamaica registered its highest temperatures on record in 2023.

When our children were little our Saturday ritual was an early morning visit to Hellshire beach. Our little ones would play in the sand, wade at the edge of the water, and enjoy the soft morning sun.

That beach has now disappeared. The hut where we bought fish and festival, several metres from the shoreline, is now at its edge. There are similar stories all around the island and yet we continue to be cavalier about climate change.

Environmentalists like Eleanor Jones, founder of Environmental Solutions, and Diana McCaulay, founder of Jamaica Environment Trust, have been schooling and warning us about Jamaica’s vulnerability as a small island developing state (SIDS).

It is encouraging that Jamaica and our Caribbean neighbours are well represented at the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference or Conference of the Parties, happening now till December 12 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). COP 28 to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is an international climate summit, which has been held mostly annually over the past 30 years.

The conferences have yielded steps towards mitigating the effects of climate change, including the Kyoto Protocol for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in 1997 and the Paris Agreement adopted in 2015. With 195 signatories in the following year, the Paris Agreement mobilised global collective action to limit the global temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels by 2100 and act to adapt to the already existing effects of climate change.

COP28, with its theme ‘Unite. Act. Deliver’, is taking place as our planet and our own Jamaica have been recording the warmest temperatures. This is the harbinger of forest fires, floods, a clear and present danger to food security. After a long, dry summer and two days of heavy rains and flooding in November our farmers are suffering from repeated bouts of damaged crops.

Developed countries are responsible for some 98 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions but it is the developing countries that are suffering from the impact. Billions were pledged over the past four days to address this, while several large fossil fuel (oil/gas) companies pledged to reduce methane emissions to a minimal level by 2030.

“Extreme weather is destroying lives and livelihoods on a daily basis — underlining the imperative need to ensure that everyone is protected by early warning services,” said Professor Petteri Taalas, secretary general of the World Meteorological Organization, which has raised an alarm at the rapidly melting glaciers around Antarctica, resulting in rising sea levels.

With our resort towns, farms, and fisheries at risk, Jamaica and our faithful investors have an important role to play in holding the countries and companies to the pledges made at COP28.

Jamaica rates high for tourist safety.

On a positive note, Jamaica has been rated as one of the safest Caribbean and Latin American destinations by the renowned Gallup. According to its findings from a survey conducted in 141 US states, Jamaica scored 75 out of 100, “coming slightly ahead of the US territory of Puerto Rico at 74; followed by Brazil, 73; Argentina, 70; Mexico, 66; Venezuela, 66; the Dominican Republic, 64; Peru, 61; and Ecuador, 59.”

The report published in the Jamaica Observer also noted: “According to [Tourism Minister Edmund] Bartlett, 1.05 million airline seats have been secured from nearly 6,000 flights coming into the island out of the United States — Jamaica’s biggest source market — during the winter season, which begins on December 15. The surge in airlift, he said, represents an increase of 13 per cent over winter 2022/2023, when Jamaica recorded 923,000 airline seats.”

Posting on social media over the weekend, a euphoric Bartlett wrote: “Jamaica wins big at World Travel Awards 30th Anniversary Banquet in Dubai tonight. Minister Bartlett received, on behalf of Jamaica, two awards: World leading Family Destination and World Leading Cruise Destination! So proud of the great piece of Rock I represent — JAMAICA.”

With our continued success in the industry, last Friday MBJ Airports Limited welcomed the inaugural flight of Norse Atlantic Airlines from London (Gatwick), UK. Shane Munroe, CEO of MBJ Airports, remarked that Jamaica was “one of their first international destinations. Our aim is to foster your growth. Recognising that you are a new airline, we are thrilled to partner with you and establish a mutually beneficial relationship going forward”.

The inaugural flight had 185 passengers on-board, including notable representatives from the UK and Nordic consumer press, commercial director at Norse Atlantic Airways, Baard Nordhagen, and Torrance Lewis, Jamaica Tourist Board’s UK district sales manager.

Daryl Vaz, minister of science, energy, telecommunications and transport noted: “This is a significant milestone in the relentless and collaborative efforts that have gone into connecting two diverse, culturally rich regions by the key stakeholders in the aviation industry.”

Renewed interest in Guyana

All was quiet around the border shared by Venezuela and Guyana until the latter struck oil and gas, then a deluge of investors descended on the country. Suddenly, Venezuela announced that it was contesting a previous ruling on the legal border between the two countries and would be holding a referendum on December 3 on the matter.

Last Friday the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the UN’s highest court, ordered Venezuela not to take any action that would alter Guyana’s control over the disputed territory, the 160,000 square kilometre Essequibo territory, but did not order a ban on Venezuela’s planned referendum on the territory’s future held yesterday.

Both Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali and Venezuelan Vice-President Delcy Rodriguez described the decision as a victory. By the time this column is published we would have heard the results of the referendum, which has neighbouring states and Caricom on tenterhooks.

In an Observer report Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Senator Kamina Johnson Smith was quoted as saying, “The Government of Jamaica remains firmly committed to the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity of states, as enshrined in the United Nations Charter. Jamaica fully supports the work of the ICJ and its ability to deliver justice where there is breach of the United Nations’ founding principles in an impartial, transparent, and independent manner. In this regard, Guyana can continue to count on Jamaica’s support of the Caricom position in defence of its sovereign rights and territorial integrity.”

Mercy for Haitian refugees

The responses from Portland residents regarding the treatment of Haitian refugees have been interesting. Erica Curtis was quoted as saying that we should have a more Christian-like approach to the Haitians and accept them as, “That’s what Jesus says.”

One can understand the resistance of some Jamaicans to this approach as there have been frightening reports on gang warfare in Haiti. However, please remember that headlines do not always tell the full story on a country and its people. Haiti is far ahead of us in art, craft, and iron works. They carve expressive figures even from the smallest pieces of wood, and one is greeted by exquisite iron designs at the airport.

With Jamaica facing a labour shortage, perhaps there may be promising workers among those who are fleeing Haiti. They should be given a chance.

Groups of Haitians have been arriving on Jamaica’s shores in recent times. Photo credit: Everard Owen