The once bustling commercial district that was downtown Kingston has by and large been abandoned thereby reflecting the country’s lack of social and economic progress since Independence in 1962.

So said the former President of the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce and Director of Corporate Affairs of GraceKennedy James Moss -Solomon

As the special guest speaker at a Rotary Club of St. Andrew luncheon held at the Jamaica Pegasus yesterday, Moss-Solomon said: ” The city mirrors our lack of social and economic progress for nearly 50 years, and has become a place that most people have abandoned, or have never had an opportunity to visit.

” It is abandoned by those of us who have become outsiders and uptowners, and we look down on the people who have to live in those areas, not caring to remember our own roots and the dreams that drew our forefathers to leave the country and seek their fortunes in Kingston.”

He went on to add that the conditions of the inner- cities have pursued many Jamaicans uptown, with many of them living within a mile of a severely depressed community.

But though the prospects for many inner city communities may appear bleak, many positive things are taking place.

Moss-Solomon pointed out that many communities are promoting events in their environment , and are supporting these regularly, and by so doing are increasing the velocity of money circulation, and spurring their own economic recovery.

“The retention of the dollar in their community will by its very nature attract the input of external resources that will also assist with the recovery, ” said Moss-Solomon.