KINGSTON, Jamaica— Prime Minister Andrew Holness, says Jamaica’s strong economic performance characterised by, among other things, unprecedented growth and record job gains, is a positive note on which to end the year and to build for 2024 and beyond.

Addressing the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation’s (MEGJC) end-of-year staff appreciation function held on Thursday on the lawns of the Police Officers’ Club in Kingston, Holness said the positive trajectory must be maintained.

“We are creating more jobs than ever before and our economy is starting to show real, positive and sustainable signs of growth than we have seen in the last 25 years. So, we are doing well but we still have a long way to go,” he said.

The prime minister commended the staff of the ministry for the important role they play in achieving the Government’s primary objectives.

“We take encouragement in the fact that we are still turning on more water than has ever been turned on before in Jamaica, we are repairing more roads than have ever been repaired before in the history of Jamaica, we are building more roads than have ever been built before, we are building more houses than have ever been built before,” he said.

Noting that the ministry is accomplishing the stated mandate of the government in driving economic growth and job creation, he added, “without question, this ministry has achieved the lowest ever unemployment rate in the history of Jamaica and the economy is seeing growth… I wish to thank you for your service and your effort”.

Minister without Portfolio Matthew Samuda, who brought greetings, said the cohesive work of the ministry and its affiliate departments, agencies, and partners have brought about substantial advancement in critical areas of development.

“When you look at the amalgamation that is MEGJC it is really an impressive collection and grouping of agencies and subject areas. It is one that has achieved as it was designed…the power to transform Jamaica is at MEGJC,” Samuda declared.

The MEGJC has responsibility for the formulation and implementation of policies relating to its portfolio areas. These include water and wastewater, land, environment, climate change, housing, urban renewal, economic policy and investment, and works.

– JIS