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Caribbean diamond
Thursday, August 19, 2010
"jamaicaobserver";
Dear Editor,
One of the leading financiers in Jamaica wrote: "The 1960s can be described as the halcyon days of Jamaica 's economic and political history. There was a sense of euphoria, excitement, and pride generating positive energy in all aspects of life. We all felt a spirit of nation building and togetherness.
Older Jamaicans will recall the annual Independence celebrations, where street parties abounded with everyone dancing and having fun together. Jamaica was perceived as the jewel of the Caribbean, and it was the place where people from all over the region wanted to live. It was also the premier destination for the rich and famous, many of whom invested heavily on the north coast. It was during that period that the hotel infrastructure was built.
In this period of thriving entrepreneurship, the key architect in fostering business was the late Robert Lightbourne, Minister of Trade and Industry, while as Minister of Finance and Planning, Edward Seaga made a major contribution in the development of the financial sector. Both Prime Ministers Alexander Bustamante and Hugh Shearer, who served in the 1960s, provided the political leadership that engendered a favourable socio-economic environment."
How great!
My wife and I were in Jamaica earlier this month and we reminisced about some of the good old days we had when we were in Jamaica between 1987 and 1993. The period coincided with the heyday of the Jamaican apparel industry when dozens of foreign enterprises invested in Jamaica and created thousands of jobs and opportunities for our fellow Jamaicans. The rest is history.
During my brief stay this month, I had the opportunity to visit Jamaica from coast to coast. I talked to some industrious merchants on Princess Street and hardworking students on UWI campus. I drove past the famous community near Marcus Garvey Drive and had a "cool" ride on the new highway leading to the north coast. Then I had a whole jerk chicken at "Scotchies", which in my opinion will humble the owner of "Buhhara", said to be serving the best Tandoori chicken in India.
And as I finished two bottles of "Red Stripe" beer, some Cs flashed into my mind:
Christianity, Church, Commonwealth, Caricom, China, Canada, Cuba, Caribbean Sea, Coasts, Cruise, Capital market, Cyberstructure, Campuses, Cricket, Cigar, Coconut, Cane sugar, Chicken, Coffee, Cement, Culture, Creativity, Creole, Confucius Institute.
If diamond is defined by the qualities of the 4 Cs it carries, then I strongly believe that Jamaica is one of the rarest in the world. I urge Mr Earl Richards, CEO of the Airports Authority of Jamaica to do "time and motion studies" at the arrival hall of the Norman Manley International Airport. To any tourist or returning resident, the first impression or the lead time does count!
Lewis Leung
Hong Kong, China
lewis_leung67@yahoo.com
Thursday, August 19, 2010
"jamaicaobserver";
Dear Editor,
One of the leading financiers in Jamaica wrote: "The 1960s can be described as the halcyon days of Jamaica 's economic and political history. There was a sense of euphoria, excitement, and pride generating positive energy in all aspects of life. We all felt a spirit of nation building and togetherness.
Older Jamaicans will recall the annual Independence celebrations, where street parties abounded with everyone dancing and having fun together. Jamaica was perceived as the jewel of the Caribbean, and it was the place where people from all over the region wanted to live. It was also the premier destination for the rich and famous, many of whom invested heavily on the north coast. It was during that period that the hotel infrastructure was built.
In this period of thriving entrepreneurship, the key architect in fostering business was the late Robert Lightbourne, Minister of Trade and Industry, while as Minister of Finance and Planning, Edward Seaga made a major contribution in the development of the financial sector. Both Prime Ministers Alexander Bustamante and Hugh Shearer, who served in the 1960s, provided the political leadership that engendered a favourable socio-economic environment."
How great!
My wife and I were in Jamaica earlier this month and we reminisced about some of the good old days we had when we were in Jamaica between 1987 and 1993. The period coincided with the heyday of the Jamaican apparel industry when dozens of foreign enterprises invested in Jamaica and created thousands of jobs and opportunities for our fellow Jamaicans. The rest is history.
During my brief stay this month, I had the opportunity to visit Jamaica from coast to coast. I talked to some industrious merchants on Princess Street and hardworking students on UWI campus. I drove past the famous community near Marcus Garvey Drive and had a "cool" ride on the new highway leading to the north coast. Then I had a whole jerk chicken at "Scotchies", which in my opinion will humble the owner of "Buhhara", said to be serving the best Tandoori chicken in India.
And as I finished two bottles of "Red Stripe" beer, some Cs flashed into my mind:
Christianity, Church, Commonwealth, Caricom, China, Canada, Cuba, Caribbean Sea, Coasts, Cruise, Capital market, Cyberstructure, Campuses, Cricket, Cigar, Coconut, Cane sugar, Chicken, Coffee, Cement, Culture, Creativity, Creole, Confucius Institute.
If diamond is defined by the qualities of the 4 Cs it carries, then I strongly believe that Jamaica is one of the rarest in the world. I urge Mr Earl Richards, CEO of the Airports Authority of Jamaica to do "time and motion studies" at the arrival hall of the Norman Manley International Airport. To any tourist or returning resident, the first impression or the lead time does count!
Lewis Leung
Hong Kong, China
lewis_leung67@yahoo.com
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