After two terms at the helm, and on the eve of a potential third term, Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness has appropriately outlined the elements of a vision for a renewed thrust at achieving the much-sought-after social and economic growth.

Our patriotic instinct is to be excited for Jamaica’s “next chapter” of economic growth for which our people have yearned and sacrificed since Independence, doing so peacefully and patiently, all the while preserving our democracy despite the prolonged pain.

The six pillars on which the new growth agenda is predicated recommend themselves, and so we have no need to second-guess the intended goals of the prime minister. They are human capital development, economic diversification, infrastructure development, reducing red tape, safety and security, and inclusive growth.

We are, of course, cognisant that what the prime minister has outlined is, at this stage, merely a statement of intent, and not only for the first time.

The country has been down this road before, under different administrations, because the search for economic and social development is never-ending, and has been, regrettably, elusive so far.

Our hopefulness is therefore tinged with a measure of realism and our grasp of the complexities, the multifaceted challenges, and the unforeseen events — internal and external — involved in the process.

We are not afraid to admit that we had been highly optimistic about the success of the “5 in 4” effort led by outstanding Jamaicans like Messrs Michael Lee-Chin and Aubyn Hill in the Economic Growth Council to achieve five per cent growth in four years.

We do not suggest that the effort was a total failure. While it did not achieve the vaunted goal of five per cent growth, its work no doubt contributed to the economic stabilisation on which new initiatives, such as ASPIRE Jamaica, the latest, can be built.

The reduction, for example, in the debt-to-gross domestic product (GDP) ratio from 146 per cent to under 70 per cent, and in the unemployment rate from 15 per cent to a record low of 4.2 per cent are nothing short of miraculous.

What we caution against is the populace mistaking bold and ambitious plans for achievement. It is clearly time to roll up all our sleeves to do the necessary work. The new vision is timely, if it can be treated as replacement for Vision 2030 which clearly will not achieve its lofty goals in the desired timeline.

Among the elements in the ASPIRE Jamaica agenda on which we are particularly focused are safety and security, something we are never tired of harping on in this space, convinced as we are that once crime is manageable it will unleash the pent up business energy that will help drive economic development.

It is our belief that there are signs everywhere that Jamaicans are ready to establish businesses — small and medium size. Many of our compatriots overseas are ready to retire and come home with their savings or plans to invest, but for the fear of crime.

The idea of consolidating payroll taxes, as part of the long-awaited tax reform, will also be a winner, as it is one of the keys to unlock our productive potential. The heavy reliance on Pay-As-You-Earn taxes has not worked out for us and this is a good a time as any to revisit the arrangement.

The prime minister is displaying his understanding that without a vision the people perish.