INFORMATION Minister Donald Buchanan says statements by businessman Gassan Azan and other businessmen, reported on last Friday’s front page of the Observer, about some of the difficulties in doing business were far from the truth.

The businessmen had criticised the Government for not doing enough to foster local private sector investment, and urged the administration to use the regulatory framework of neighbouring Turks and Caicos Islands as a reference in enhancing economic activity here.

But Buchanan, in statement to the Observer, said: “One only needs to look at the infrastructure that has been introduced by this Government.”

. Liberalisation of the exchange control which allows Jamaicans full access to foreign currency, foreign bank accounts and the freedom to do whatever they wish with their money locally and overseas.

. Liberalisation of the telecommunications industry following the break up of the monopoly by the Government.

. Removal of price controls, while the price of petrol has been allowed to fluctuate according to the dictates of market conditions.

. Drastic reductions in customs duties, making it easier for the business community as well as the ordinary Jamaican to import goods.

“A government that is against business does not at the same time take actions to liberalise an economy,” said the information minister.

According to Buchanan, there is much practical evidence to prove the businessmen’s claim as totally false, and alleged that the comments appeared to suggest the politicisation of some sections of the business community by certain well-placed business leaders during the current election campaign.

“Mention was also made of actions of the Government during the 1970s. It should be noted that social legislation introduced by the Government at that time continues to ensure the interest of the Jamaican people at all levels. It was during this period that Jamaicans started to benefit from equal pay for equal work; maternity leave with pay, the Labour and Industrial Relations Act, the Bastardy Act and the National Housing Trust.

“These social benefits introduced by the People’s National Party Government of the ’70s continue to enrich the lives of the ordinary Jamaican today,” said Buchanan, who is also general secretary of the PNP.