ST ANDREW, Jamaica – United States’ ambassador to Jamaica, Luis G Moreno, says that Jamaica has the potential to be a model democracy for the world.

Speaking at Friday night’s American Chamber of Commerce (Amcham) Jamaica Business and Civic Leadership Awards for Excellence at the Jamaica Pegasus in New Kingston, Moreno praised Jamaican politicians for setting an example of an “emboldened, responsible and democratic” system, which would be a model for the rest of the world.

“Jamaica has the potential to be a model democracy for the region and, yes, the entire world,” Moreno told the large crowd attending the annual event.

He noted as a good example of this model behaviour, the transition in government which followed the February 25 general election.

“It was a contentious election, and a razor thin election, and yet the transition of power from one administration to the other was seamless, was flawless, was civil and was done as a model, and I would like that as a model for the entire world,” Moreno told the function.

In terms of the awardees for excellence, chairman of the Wisynco Group Limited, William Mahfood, was handed the President’s Award for his company’s contribution to efforts to assist needy Jamaicans.

Lasco Group’s chairman, Lascelles Chin, was given the Amcham Lifetime Achievement Award.

Other awardees were- Grace Kennedy Limited, Mona Social Services, the Rotary Club of Kingston, Digicel Foundation and the Heart Institute of the Caribbean.

Professor Ernest Madu and Lieutenant Colonel Victor L Beek were honoured for individual efforts in civic leadership.

Balford Henry