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'Logistics Hub Symposium was a success' say business leaders
Published: Thursday | January 23, 2014
Members of the business community are expressing optimism following a two-day symposium on Jamaica's quest to become a globally competitive logistics hub.
President of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ), Christopher Zacca, said based on the presentation over the two days, which were geared towards making the private sector more aware about the project, he is now more confident that the country must make the hub happen.
"We need to seize this opportunity as a business community and move forward," he said during yesterday's final session of the symposium at the Jamaica Conference Centre in downtown Kingston.
He implored the business community to begin to look at how they can benefit from the opportunities that the hub will present for not only big businesses, but for small- and medium-size enterprises also.
The president of the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce and brainchild behind the event, Francis Kennedy, echoed similar sentiments.
Kennedy emphasised that the logistics hub initiative could be the single most important move to revolutionise the country's otherwise stagnant economy.
He said the project would only be successful if the private and public sector are both on the same page and form a joint alliance.
However, not all those in attendance at the symposium left feeling optimistic. One businessman who said he travelled from St James on both days for the event, lamented that he did not learn anything new.
The businessman, who wished not to be named, noted that nothing concrete, such as clear objectives and timelines were presented.
NO CLARITY FROM GOV'T
"The chamber of commerce is trying their utmost best to get some direction out of the Government, some timelines as it relates to legislative changes, as it relates to the development proposals and from whom; nothing has been forthcoming from the Government and it's just talk and promises," he stated.
But, Investment and Commerce Minister Anthony Hylton was adamant that the logistics hub is not just a pipe dream.
He emphasised that the business community should get themselves prepared, as the logistics hub is real and will be coming; therefore, businesses should start thinking seriously in that direction
Published: Thursday | January 23, 2014
Members of the business community are expressing optimism following a two-day symposium on Jamaica's quest to become a globally competitive logistics hub.
President of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ), Christopher Zacca, said based on the presentation over the two days, which were geared towards making the private sector more aware about the project, he is now more confident that the country must make the hub happen.
"We need to seize this opportunity as a business community and move forward," he said during yesterday's final session of the symposium at the Jamaica Conference Centre in downtown Kingston.
He implored the business community to begin to look at how they can benefit from the opportunities that the hub will present for not only big businesses, but for small- and medium-size enterprises also.
The president of the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce and brainchild behind the event, Francis Kennedy, echoed similar sentiments.
Kennedy emphasised that the logistics hub initiative could be the single most important move to revolutionise the country's otherwise stagnant economy.
He said the project would only be successful if the private and public sector are both on the same page and form a joint alliance.
However, not all those in attendance at the symposium left feeling optimistic. One businessman who said he travelled from St James on both days for the event, lamented that he did not learn anything new.
The businessman, who wished not to be named, noted that nothing concrete, such as clear objectives and timelines were presented.
NO CLARITY FROM GOV'T
"The chamber of commerce is trying their utmost best to get some direction out of the Government, some timelines as it relates to legislative changes, as it relates to the development proposals and from whom; nothing has been forthcoming from the Government and it's just talk and promises," he stated.
But, Investment and Commerce Minister Anthony Hylton was adamant that the logistics hub is not just a pipe dream.
He emphasised that the business community should get themselves prepared, as the logistics hub is real and will be coming; therefore, businesses should start thinking seriously in that direction
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