Newly appointed president of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ), PB Scott, has given his commitment to be honest, disciplined and straightforward in discussing expectations with the Government as it aims to accomplish sustainable economic growth.

Scott, who is also chairman and CEO of the Musson Group of Companies, was on Thursday elected the 18th president of the PIOJ following the demitting of office by past president William Mahfood, who opted to resign four months early in order to focus on his remit as Wisynco Chairman, subsequent to the recent fire that occurred at the company’s warehouse.

Mahfood served as president for 20 months.

“There is no doubt that the next year is critical for Jamaica’s growth and we need to be discussing the word growth because that is what Jamaica has not had,” Scott told PSOJ members at its Members’ Only Mingle at the Devonshire, Devon House in Kingston last Thursday.

“For the last 30 years, the average growth rate of 0.8 per cent is what had caused all the other social ills and manifestations that we see every single day — and unless we address that and have a honest conversation with the private sector and stand up and be counted, we are not going to make any changes because clearly what we have been doing for the last 30 years has not worked.

“So going forward we need to be honest, disciplined and fairly straightforward when we talk to the Government about our expectations and I give you my commitment and the team’s commitment that we will do this on behalf of the members,” he continued.

Joining the executive team are vice presidents Dennis Cohen, Deputy Group Managing Director of NCB; Gary ‘Butch’ Hendrickson, Managing Director of Continental Baking Company Ltd; and Frank James, Group Chief Financial Officer at GraceKennedy Ltd.

Vikram Dihman, Chief Operating Officer of the ICD Group will hold the position of Honorary Treasurer, while Eva Lewis, head of Corporate and Investment Banking at Citibank Jamaica, holds the post of Honorary Secretary.

The Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) was established in 1976 and is a national organisation of private sector associations, companies and individuals working together to promote a competitive and productive private sector.

The organisation seeks to influence national policy issues of a political, social, or economic nature. The Executive Committee, under guidance from the Council, leads this process by promoting discussions with the country’s government, political directorate and the opposition. The organisation is also in close and constant contact with the major multi-lateral and bi-lateral agencies.