THE St Catherine Chamber of Commerce and Industry says it has planned three major projects this year which it hopes will raise funds, increase membership and promote business.

These include an intensive fundraising programme, a membership drive and the annual trade fair.

At its recent annual general meeting at the St Jago Health Centre in Spanish Town, the chamber decided to place all three projects on a fast track in order to “sensitise” all relevant stakeholders and old and new members to its latest thrust.

Chamber president, Rudolph Green, who was unanimously elected for a second term, said he expected each member to introduce the chamber and its work to as many residents in and out of the parish as possible.

Green also urged the group to contribute time and effort in planning the next trade fair slated for October, emphasising that a successful trade fair would significantly advertise the commercial advantages to be gained by doing business in the parish– with its large and growing population and its emerging pool of talents.

Reiterating the importance of creating a large surplus of funds, Green noted that “it is through this means that we will be able to carry out our programmes on the ground”.

Green, who is a chartered accountant, remarked that the civic groups in St Catherine have an important role to play in working closely with the 400,000 people in the parish and the authorities to improve the environment in their communities.

“If we clean up crime and improve drains, public roads and other infrastructure, as well as open spaces and public institutions, there is no doubt that additional investment inflows will follow to create businesses, enterprises, jobs and a higher standard of living for St Catherine, he said.

The new 11-member executive selected at the annual general meeting, includes Green as president; Dr Ronald Bourne, vice president; Peter Chin, treasurer; and Winston Baldwin executive secretary.

The directors include O’Brien Johnson, Eula Barth, Dudley Lalah, Bill Poinsette, Trevor Barnes, David Atkinson and Rowena Wright.