The Jamaica Chamber of Commerce has called on the government to come clean about difficulties it is facing in hosting the International Cricket Council (ICC) Cricket World Cup 2007.

At the same time, the chamber expressed concern that the government’s $6.7 billion investment in hosting 11 matches in the third largest show on earth could be unprofitable.

In a statement this week, the JCC, headed by businessman Mark Myers, also cautioned the government that the absence of an islandwide beautification project could mean “an embarrassment to the nation”.

The JCC pointed out that the Greater Kingston Work Team, which was formed in 2006, had such a project as its mandate, but only 356 of the 1,097 beautification proposals across the island have been approved.

“In light of these developments we implore the government to speak openly and frankly to the nation about the difficulties being experienced in hosting World Cup Cricket,” the statement said. It added that the initially stated economic benefits of the event no longer seem feasible.