KINGSTON, Jamaica — Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness has announced plans to make changes at the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) to drive the coordination of nationally impactful growth and development projects.

Speaking during an OPM senior management meeting at Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel in St Andrew on Wednesday, Holness argued that the OPM must play a pivotal role in positioning Jamaica as an attractive and welcoming destination for investment.

“It means, therefore, that we will have to reorganise OPM in some ways to be able to track, manage, resolve, facilitate [and] promote investments,” said Holness.

According to Holness, the global capital market is continually seeking investment opportunities and Jamaica should position itself to attract those investments by demonstrating efficiency and productivity.

“If we are not responsive, if we are not agile, if we are not facilitating, believe me, there are other countries which will be,” Holness pointed out.

He argued that while Jamaica’s traditional fiscal incentives under the Omnibus Incentive and Special Economic Zone legislation, coupled with the country’s current economic stability, continue to attract foreign investors, these advantages alone are not enough to secure investment.

The prime minister stressed that expanding the country’s pool of skilled labour is essential to Jamaica’s transition from a low-wage to a high-wage economy.

“If you look at how countries have progressed along the wage path from being low-cost to higher-cost, it is that they have improved the level of their skills… Singapore, China, Cambodia, and Vietnam… they are at various stages of improving the value, and Jamaica has to do the same,” said Holness.

He pointed to the recently established National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NaRRA) and said the OPM must collaborate closely with the agency to deliver meaningful outcomes for the Jamaican people.

“The OPM has to put itself in a position to find these investors, meet with them, see what can work, and coordinate with NaRRA to ensure that those investors and investments get on the fast track very quickly…but that those investments are also in sync with the objectives of NaRRA,” Holness stated.

NaRRA’s objectives include the reconstruction of areas affected by Hurricane Melissa, fostering investment in key focus areas, and attracting capital to enhance the nation’s resilience.

Holness expressed the hope that Jamaicans will benefit from the knowledge and expertise of skilled workers engaged in NaRRA projects, thereby enhancing the country’s overall skills base.

— JIS