statisticallyinfluence inequality or the prevalenceof inequality and poverty,”Johnson explained.The prevalence of poverty in2019 was 11.0 per cent, fallingfrom 12.6 per cent in 2018.However, director general of thePIOJ Dr Wayne Henry pointed outthat between 2017 and 2019, therewas a more significant reductionin poverty, moving from 19.3 percent to the 12.6 per cent, due toconstruction activity and “veryrobust remittance flows”.In its overview, the survey notedthat the GKMA was the onlyregion to “record a significantmovement in poverty”, falling to4.7 per cent.When the Jamaica Observerasked about the correlationbetween adverse weather conditionsand the stable rate of povertyin rural areas, Dr Henry noted that“there is a high sensitivity” in theagriculture and fisheries industryto extreme weather conditions,which could affect the incomelevels of individuals in rural areas.He added that the PIOJ has anumber of initiatives at the policylevel to address resilience of theagriculture and fisheries industry.Dr Henry pointed out, too, thatthere was a disparity between thedevelopment of infrastructure andjob creation in the GKMA andrural areas, resulting in a greaterlevel of poverty reduction in theformer.In terms of education, the percentageof working-age peoplewithout certification stood at 65.2per cent.Responding to a question onthe use of the information fromJSLC 2019, Dr Henry explained:“Data from 2019 will chart a pathfor Jamaica’s economic recovery”from the impact of the novel coronaviruspandemic.— Josimar ScottNo significant reduction in poverty — StatinGUYANESE President DrIrfaan Ali has narroweddown the most importantimperative for the Caribbeanat this time as thecomplete rebuilding ofthe region’s logistics andtransportation model.While highlighting thatthe region has all the componentsfor a modern andemerging economy, Dr Aliargued that this criticalmatter of logistics andtransportation needs immediatefocus at this time.Speaking at the CaribbeanInvestment Forum earlierthis week, the Guyanesepresident expressed thebelief that a completerebuild of the logistics andtransportation model is apriority of the region.He told the forum, “Wecould create all the goods,but if you don’t have themeans to move the goodsand the services, then youhave a serious problem.”He pointed out that hisGovernment is in talks withthe Emirates on developinga logistics hub, while PrimeMinister of Barbados MiaMottley will be in theUnited Arab Emirates towork on a project calledthe Sea Bridge.These projects, Dr Alitold the audience, willmove people, goods, andservices throughout theregion. He assured thatevery country in the regionis “committed to providingan incentive mechanism tosupport this logistics andtransportation model”.FIXING THE PROBLEMAccording to theGuyanese president,“Unless we fix thisproblem, in terms of logisticsand transportation,we will not be ableto capture the results wewant to capture. We arenow talking about buildinga bridge between Guyanaand Suriname. Surinameis looking to build a bridgebetween Suriname andFrench Guiana. We arelooking at building aninfrastructure that willsupport the developmentwithin the region. So, thereis the opportunity, and thatis why today, as leaders inthe region, we are moreoutward-looking.”Although the region’spopulation is small, Dr Alibelieves that the marketaccess it provides throughits booming tourismindustry allows investmentsto thrive. Coupledwith this, he noted thatthe Caribbean is not onlya Zone of Peace, but an“exclusive zone of toleranceand inclusiveness”,built on resilience anddiversity.He also highlighted thelocation of the regionand its direct access toSouth, Central and NorthAmerica.“In almost each of theseareas, we have specific investmentagreements andtrade arrangements thatwill give you a distinct advantagein pursuing yourbusiness interests,” Dr Alistated.GUYANA’S POTENTIALTurning to Guyana’s potential,President Ali spokeextensively on his country’scurrent position, itsongoing development, andits future.In addition to the infrastructuraland logisticsexpansion being undertaken,the president spokeof Guyana’s 18.3-millionhectares of standing forestscovering over 87 per centof the country’s land mass.He posited that Guyana’s92.5-gigatonnes of carbonthat is conserved (foreststored) represents US$195billion on the carbon market.He also spoke of thecountry’s non-oil natural resourcesand its potential inagriculture, especially as itrelates to Caricom’s reductionof its food import bill by25 per cent by 2025 throughlocal agriculture expansionin member states.Guyana, like otherCaricom nations, the presidentargued, is movingforward through the useof renewable energy andthrough solid, long-terminvestments.— Durrant PateLogistics and transportationimperative for the CaribbeanPresident of Guyana Dr IrfaanAli is looking to position theSouth American country as alogistics hub for the region.A roadway underconstruction in theparish of St Thomas(Photo: Karl Mclarty)Chairman and CEO of FirstRockCapital Holdings Ryan Reid (Photo:Adrian Creary)FirstRock to develop luxury villas west of Morant Bay