Jamaican-Canadian businessman Michael Lee Chin has been appointed head of the Economic Growth Council, established to advise the government on a framework of proposed initiatives that are expected to yield economic growth.
The Council that will have no more than 12 members from the private and public sectors will make quarterly reports on its progress.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness who launched the initiative on Wednesday said the Council is not “another layer of bureaucracy,” adding that it is meant to simplify, clarify and expedite economic growth policies.
“They will come up with policy initiatives, they will bring investments, they will ensure the planning and that the investments make sense, that the investments are logical, that they interconnect…and that any possible roadblocks or obstacles, that those are brought to the attention of Government and cleared,” he said.
Holness explained that the establishment of the Economic Growth Council forms part of the Government’s drive of bolstering economic growth and creating jobs for Jamaicans.
He said the formation of the Council and the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation is among the “10 signal commitments” that were made during the lead up to the General Election in February this year, that will be met by the Government.
“We have struck up a partnership with one of Jamaica’s finest sons, but also a representative of the private sector and someone who has contributed significantly and participated in our civil society,” Holness said, of the appointment of Mr. Lee-Chin.
Holness said other persons will be added to the Council over and noted that the mission of Lee Chin is to build local and international support for the country’s growth agenda “in practical ways, to bring large investments to the island.”
The Prime Minister said the Council is tasked to work with the technical experts in the Office of the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation and all the agencies under that Ministry.
