PM Chides Some Political Stakeholders for Criticising JLP’s Handling of the Economy

Prime Minister Andrew Holness (right), greets University of Technology (UTech) President, Dr. Kevin Brown, during the launch of the Amber UTech Launchpad at the institution’s campus in Papine, St. Andrew on Wednesday (March 6). Looking on are Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Amber Group, Ambassador Dushyant Savadia, and UTech Pro Chancellor, Aldrick McNab (partly hidden). (Photo: Michael Sloley/JIS)

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has slammed some politically connected beneficiaries of FINSAC who, he says, exploited the reckless policies of a former PNP administration to ensure their own success but now pose as business gurus and experts on the economy.

The prime minister levelled the criticism against the PNP’s management of the economy in the 1990s while addressing the Amber Group Launchpad at the University of Technology on Wednesday.

Nora Gay Banton reports.

According to Prime Minister Holness, some of those individuals who benefited from the PNP policies of the 1990s, which hurt the masses, should be called out for their current posture on the JLP administration’s management of the country’s affairs.

The prime minister elaborated on his point as he criticised so-called experts on current happenings in the economy.

Mr. Holness called on outspoken public commentator and former Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica president, Howard Mitchell, who was in attendance at the function, to take note of the history of some of the current critics of the government’s management of the economy.

The prime minister says his administration has placed Jamaica on a stable economic platform that encourages entrepreneurship and economic growth.

He says it’s important that the younger generation appreciate what transpired in Jamaica’s financial sector under the PNP in the 1990s.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Holness says his administration is currently facing the biggest challenge of reassuring Jamaicans of an increase in the transformation of the country’s productivity.

The prime minister says Jamaicans will be able to witness the results of that transformation soon.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness.

The Amber-UTECH’s Launchpad will assist 100 start ups to launch their businesses over the next three years.

Over $2 billion is expected to be invested in 100 startups over 1,000 days. This investment will help startups with capital training and market for their products from start to finish.