HOTEL mogul Gordon Butch Stewart says that Jamaica is the single hardest country in the Caribbean in which to invest and conduct business.

Stewart, who in March was appointed chairman of Government's investment-promotion arm JAMPRO, said that the board has done its assessment and formulated solutions, awaiting a meeting with commerce minister Karl Samuda.

"Investors, both local and overseas, face enormous challenges in Jamaica, especially when compared to other countries in the region," Stewart said yesterday. "Jamaica is the single hardest country by several times to invest and get things done."

Stewart, who is also chairman of the Jamaica Observer, was speaking at the launch of the newspaper's annual Business Leader Awards, which will, this year, recognise the contribution of foreign investors to the country.

While Government repeatedly emphasised the importance of foreign direct investment, Stewart contended that the actions of both Government officials and the civil service ran contrary to investment.

He charged that the civil service, for the most part, sought to block, instead of assist investors.

"We would like to challenge the civil service so that it does not stand in the way of progress in Jamaica," Stewart declared.

"What our civil service has to do is what I see civil service doing in other countries," he added, saying that in other jurisdictions civil servants found ways to make investments happen. "Find solutions, say it can happen," said Stewart.

He also knocked the autocratic approach of government officials in dealing with problems faced by the local productive sector.

"They don't come to you and say, help me create policy that is going to allow your business to succeed," said Stewart. "That does not happen here."

Stewart, who as chairman of Sandals Resorts International operates 15 hotels across the Caribbean, argued that officials in other islands sought dialogue with their business sector in finding solutions.

"In the islands that I operate, when there is a problem in a sector the government comes out and says what do you think," said Stewart.

He contended that governments in Jamaica, over the years, harboured distrust for the business sector.

"From history, the government people that you talk to argue back at you as though they know your business better than you know your business," he said.

According to Stewart, proposals from the business sector are often viewed with great suspicion by government officials who feel they are being set up.

"It is important for government to challenge itself and create a more business friendly environment, added Stewart. "Ask for assistance," he suggested.

Referring to the length of time it takes to have development plans passed, Stewart said that a 2007 promise made by Prime Minister Bruce Golding to have the process completed in 90 days has not yet been fulfilled.

"To get plans passed to do anything is worse than pulling teeth," Stewart commented.

"People blame bureaucracy... but strong government drives those situations and make sure it happens," he said.

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