Prime Minister PJ Patterson has told US Ambassador Brenda LaGrange Johnson that the macro-economic policies introduced by the government and the level of infrastructure development in areas such as roads, telecommunications and utilities, were among the main reasons for the significant level of Foreign Direct Investments the country has attracted over the last six years.

He also told the ambassador that the government had aggressively sought to attract foreign investments as well as implement measures aimed at reducing the bureaucracy involved in getting these investments off the ground, a statement for Jamaica House said.

Patterson was responding to comments about developments in the Jamaican economy by the US Ambassador, who paid a courtesy call on him at Jamaica House last Thursday.

The prime minister also spoke of other development projects, including the expansion of JAMALCO and the introduction of Liquefied Natural Gas, which he said would not only fuel the plant’s expansion, but provide surplus energy for use by the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS).

Turning to the recently-concluded World Trade Organisation (WTO) Ministerial Meeting in Hong Kong, Patterson said that although it had not achieved as much progress as had been anticipated, the outcome would pave the way for progress in future talks. He said every effort should be made to advance the development agenda when the trade talks resume early next year.

Patterson also reiterated Jamaica’s sympathy for the victims of Hurricane Katrina that affected the US Gulf Coast in August. He noted that this has been a challenging year for Jamaica due to the many weather systems that have affected the island, resulting in damage to several infrastructure including main arterial roads.

He again expressed gratitude for the support of the United States following the passage of Hurricane Ivan, particularly as it relates to housing and school repairs.