MONTEGO BAY, James — President of the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry Oral Heaven is calling for a continuation of the Operation Restore Paradise initiative.

In a recent interview with the Jamaica Observer, the head of the St James-based business grouping said the measure has borne fruit based on its intended targets.

“Under the Operation Restore Paradise, we got results. It’s about reducing crime and violence and when there is reduced crime and violence, then the business community flourishes and the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce is about the business community,” he said.

Operation Restore Paradise is an initiative started in 2019 and but stopped in 2022.

It involved a partnership with a number of stakeholders, including the local municipal corporation, security forces, as well as various agencies of government and private interests.

It was primarily aimed at addressing illegal vending on the streets, dealing with unruly transport operations, crime and violence and a number of other issues.

“It is important for us to continue that work,” he remarked.

“With a clean city, reduced crime and the removal of the individuals off the streets who created problems has ensured that the business community can flourish and continue to grow,” Heaven continued.

The chamber, he said, is committed to working with the municipal corporation in maintaining the aesthetics of the space.

“We have funds in the chamber to be used for the beautification of Montego Bay,” he said.

“I have already had a discussion with the new mayor and also with the chief executive officer as to how we can partner to use those funds to beautify our town because we want to maintain a clean city,” he stated.

“The business community is ready to work with the authorities to ensure that we have a clean city,” he reiterated.

He was also happy with the directions being taken to address the issue of street vending in the western city.

During his address last Thursday, newly installed mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Richard Vernon, announced that a micro, small and medium-sized enterprises unit would be established to deal with those matters.

“We would be definitely be looking to get involved in something like this and we would be working with different organisations as it relates to micro, small and medium enterprises, that’s the foundation of the economy,” he stated.

“These businesses drive the economy and formalising those operations will ensure that we put a structure in place so that they can benefit as well as the Government,” said Heaven.