Marco Mazzocchi Alemanni reflects on his tour of duty in Jamaica

Alemanni is the epitome of charm, but he also had caustic side, not given to measuring his words. Upon his departure, he had few regrets, chief among them not doing more for the culture of the island.

"I would have needed more time to support that. There is so much culture and entertainment in Jamaica and during my term, I established friendships with Youth, Sports and Culture Minister Olivia Grange and her opposition counterpart, Lisa Hanna; both good at what they do, so after the elections, culture will be in good hands," he said.

The diminutive diplomat said Jamaica is a special place, not just musically but in all areas and he is delighted about the island's great modern and classical musicians. Of the upcoming general election, he revealed that he was sorry he would be missing the polls. But, just how do our elections compare with those in Europe?

Pointing to the vast differences, he said there are only two major political parties in Jamaica, but there are many running at any one time in Europe. "The system is very different and very huge, unlike here in Jamaica where things are very personalised for both leaders of the country and members of parliament. "Jamaicans are very politically involved, even in the barber shop, they know about the politics," he opined. But he said he never tires of telling Jamaicans that they don't fully appreciate how democratic and free their society is.

"You have a free press and a free judiciary. There are challenges with the Jamaica Constabulary Force, but very good work is being done and it should be appreciated. The country is not just free and beautiful, but openly democratic, and you are in the minority in the world. Cherish that confidence for the future of Jamaica," Alemanni said.

In that regard, he has two wishes: the first is for a peaceful process leading into the general election. He said he has expressed that wish to Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Opposition Leader Portia Simpson Miller. "My next wish is for Jamaica to recommit to re-engaging with the multinationals such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF). My country (Italy) is in trouble with its debt-to-GDP ratio. Jamaica is in trouble too; a lot of work has been done and lots of funding has been allocated to Jamaica in grants. The IMF and Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) give loans but we give funding."

He noted the huge sacrifice made by the labour force in terms of a wage freeze and the dwindling middle class, but admitted that the same story is true for Europe. "Jamaicans who have savings in bonds have seen it go down in the Jamaica Debt Exchange. A considerable number of others have made tremendous sacrifice. Will it all go down the drain because you hesitate to take the steps written into agreements with multinationals?" Alemanni is quick to admit that he knew such steps were difficult to take before an election.

Critical measures

Other critical measures to fix the economy highlighted by Alemanni were shrinking the public-sector wage bill and implementing tax reform. These, he said, were stumbling blocks to the development of the country but, there are ways and means to do it. These, he explained, include not replacing personnel who have retired. The key is to have the buy-in of the trade unions with the process, so there does not have to be huge wage crises.

The other hurdle in the tax-reform process is that just a few thousand of those eligible to do so are paying taxes, yet organisations get waivers that lead to shortage of earnings and more tax for those on the pay-as-you-earn system. He sees tax reform as a way to earn revenue without pain, and it will lead to a capital-investment budget that Jamaica has not had for years. But first Jamaicans have to buy into the notion that paying taxes are good for the country.

Not all bad

However, things are not all bad. No user fees for poor citizens' health care and school fees for some needy children are ambitious measures when one considers that 50 per cent of the Budget goes to pay debt while the other half goes to the public-sector wage bill. It's time, he feels, to start collecting revenues from those who are not paying. But strides have been made such as privatisation of sugar factories and the divestment of Air Jamaica.

his Successor

Having completed a career that spanned six countries (most of them in Africa), Alemanni is looking forward to retirement to manage his small Moroccan hotel with his Algerian born wife, Fiela.

He revealed that his successor will be a woman and he has already briefed her; she is set to assume duties next month. She is married with one child. He said she will help the Government to re-engage with the multilaterals to get the Budget-support programmes geared at debt, and crime-reduction initiatives that have been frozen for a while. Alemanni said millions of euros should have been disbursed since July 2011, but this cannot happen because the country is not on track with the IMF. "In excess of $5 billion is sitting there waiting to be disbursed," he said.

However, one of the most pleasing areas of his work sprang from crime reduction. With the help of the EU, the JCF has been able to implement its strategic review, more cops recruited, they have been better trained, more courtrooms have been refurbished and judges have been put in place.

Among his lasting impressions are the Jamaican friends he has made. Lamenting the contrasting beauty of Jamaica versus its high crime rate, he said he did not expect to see such friendly people and having visited other countries in the region, he has not found them to be on par with us in that regard. So, he will miss his friends most.

Port Antonio is unquestionably his favourite place in the island even with its constant rain. "It is stunning, extremely beautiful. I have spent lots of time there." If he could relive a week in Jamaica, it would be the most moving time when he received a Jamaican honour. "I have received many awards from many different places, but this one is touching because it is first time a serving ambassador is getting one, it somehow roots me into this country."

One constant source of worry for the ambassador was the large number of single-parent families and the children who suffer the consequences, but he admitted it's a Jamaican cultural norm that would be difficult to change. Another minor annoyance was the heavy traffic that hinders quick movement daily.

On the other hand, Alemanni is happy with proposed developments for downtown, stating that in the last five years, he saw some improvement (especially Coronation Market). He thinks overall improvements will take a lot of time but remains positive about the prospects.

His favourite foods included anything jerked and fruits, particularly jackfruit and soursop. He also loved otaheiti apple juice and ranks our ginger and carrots among the world's best. And, one day, he would love to see Jamaica participating in other sporting activities.

Alemanni took a brief holiday in Italy before heading into private business in Morocco. He is looking forward to the business and chose that above the standard lecturing like many of his retired colleagues. The hospitality industry is something different and he and wife Fiela will collaborate on that project.