MANCHESTER, Jamaica — The Manchester Chamber of Commerce says it is committed to continuing partnership initiatives with the Manchester police including a Motor Vehicle Repair Fund, which it says has enabled the repair of police vehicles for all 11 stations across the parish.

“Since the fund was established, we were able to effect repairs and purchase parts for several police vehicles,” president of the chamber of commerce, Garfield Green, was quoted as saying in a news release circulated here.

“We have replaced worn tyres, batteries and mechanical parts, which have assisted the police’s ability to more adequately respond to situations that arise,” Green added.

To date, the fund has raised over $400,000, and according to Green, the objective is to maintain the fund in a good financial position, to respond to the needs of the police, as it relates to keeping vehicles in good working condition, the release said.

“The response from the business community has been very positive. We are committed to playing our part as good corporate citizens and as a Chamber, in making Manchester a safer, more business friendly and economically viable parish to live, work and do business in,” Green said.

The chamber president said his administration was focused on being a “gateway” for businesses in the parish by encouraging and facilitating entrepreneurship. He pointed to a link between unemployment and crime and the inherent dangers to business and economic growth posed.

 “With the closure of the bauxite plants, one in Kirkvine and another in Nain, St Elizabeth, Manchester is experiencing a downturn in economic activities. The Chamber is dedicated to promoting and facilitating entrepreneurship through the development and growth of businesses while improving the quality of lives in the parish. However, as a business community, we are cognisant that there is correlation between unemployment and crime. Crime is a serious issue that we all need to play a role in fighting, if our goals are to be realised,” he said.

Green said the Chamber of Commerce was working on a number of business-friendly initiatives, including establishment of a business incubator, creation of a taste trail for Manchester, a study to improve traffic management in Mandeville, partnering with Jamaica Fire Brigade to identify defective fire hydrants across the parish, with the view of having them repaired.  

He also pointed out that the Chamber is having discussions with investors to help with the development of the parish, which would see growth in various areas such as accommodation, entertainment and fine dining, parking and a reliable and decent public transportation system.

The Chamber has also embarked on a membership drive, which targets small businesses such as hairdressers, bar operators, taxi operators, small shop operators, and schools.  This has already begun to bear fruit with what Green says is a noticeable increase in members who are small business operators.

“With all the bright minds and potential of what we already have, we can collectively develop the parish beyond what it was.  It is the desire; it is the objective of the Manchester Chamber of Commerce to be a driving force behind these efforts,” he said.