THE Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) says it finds comments regarding the Oceana transaction made by Minister of Finance Audley Shaw in his closing budget presentation last week “unfortunate”.

Shaw, in addressing the House of Representatives, questioned whether the sale of the Oceana Hotel to Downing Street Group was a “sweetheart deal”.

In a press release yesterday, the PSOJ said, while it understands and encourages the need to ensure that public funds are spent in a transparent and value-added manner, “we must be reminded that unsubstantiated, public comments or assertions like those made by a high-ranking government official carry much weight in influencing private sector, local or global, decisions to invest in our country”.

It said Shaw’s comments also runs counter to this Government’s development plan and emphasis on growth.

“Jamaica, having made sustained improvements in fiscal discipline, is poised for growth and under a spotlight with global investors. We must do everything we can to protect an environment which encourages investment to achieve our growth aspirations,” the PSOJ said and called for clarity and intent of the statement made.