Prime Minister PJ Patterson yesterday said the state would train a pool of relief workers who will be deployed locally and internationally to take advantage of business opportunities during times of disaster.

“We are not trying to capitalise on misery, but there will be a demand for certain skills,” he said.

The government would build this pool of skilled workers through programmes at Heart/NTA, a state-run training institution.

“Heart/NTA is to begin a special training programme for skilled artisans, for all knowledge areas, and skills for a pool of talent that can be used in other countries in the region any time disaster occurs,” said Patterson.

The off-the-cuff remarks came yesterday during the Jamaica Employers’ Federation’s (JEF’s) Business Recovery Forum at the Jamaica Conference Centre in Kingston.

There are now opportunities, Patterson said, in the Caribbean and the United States (US), which would require a whole range of professional skills and construction expertise. The Caribbean has been battered by three hurricanes since the season began, while Florida has had to weather four.

“This points to the importance of developing an expanded capacity within the region to carry out such work and it could be regarded as a business opportunity for the private sector,” said Patterson, returning to his prepared text. “As I speak, demand for such services exists in the Cayman Islands, the Bahamas, Grenada, Florida and other southern (US) states.”

In her earlier address, JEF president Audrey Hinchcliffe had spoken of the potential business opportunities that could arise out of natural disasters but had warned that there must be a plan to take advantage of the opportunities.

“In the face of business disasters, there are business opportunities. But if there is a lack of coordinated plan [you] would not be able to take advantage of the opportunities at hand,” she said.

Meanwhile, turning to the recent reduction in duties on some agricultural items, Patterson urged retailers to pass on the savings to consumers.

“These reductions are for the benefit of the consumers and not for merchants. And we are going to be vigilant in ensuring that the consumers benefit. If this is not done – hell is going to pop,” he warned.

He was equally frank when urged by president of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) Beverly Lopez to bar rebuilding in areas which are in breach of building and environmental standards.

The responsibility, Patterson argued, is not government’s alone.

“Everyone is pointing fingers at government, (saying) what government must not allow and (that government should) ensure that the standards are maintained,” he said. “But professionals also have a responsibility too. Builders and architects must play a vital role in upholding the rules in relation to building housing. In the post-Ivan period, these groups will become essential.”