PSOJ, JCC cop Gleaner award for business service

The Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) and the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce (JCC) were yesterday lauded by The Gleaner Company for their effectiveness in the Jamaican business community through their various initiatives and advocacy.

Joseph M. Matalon, president of the PSOJ, and Milton Samuda, president of the JCC, were co-recipients of the prestigious Gleaner Honour Award at a luncheon at the newspaper publisher's North Street offices in Kingston.

Both organisations worked tirelessly to resolve the crises which enveloped the Government earlier this year as a result of the United States extradition request for Christopher 'Dudus' Coke.

In a citation read by Karin Cooper, The Gleaner's business development and marketing manager, the two private-sector groups were described as effective in their contribution to the business sector, which was further magnified by their efforts in the extradition issue.

"The influential voices of the PSOJ and JCC have long been loud and clear on matters affecting consumers and businesses. This year, in particular, the voices spoke in unison and forced the hand of Government to better handle the crises created by the extradition of Christopher 'Dudus' Coke," Cooper read.

Matalon welcomed the award, saying he was flattered that The Gleaner Company had considered the PSOJ for the award.

"We are very pleased. The recognition is always nice to get, and we give everybody the assurance that the work that we are doing is by no means over, as we will continue to strive for a better Jamaica in the future," he said.

Reminder of great responsibility

Samuda said he was humbled by the award, which acts as a reminder of the great responsibility his organisation has in relation to the private sector.

"It is good that the effort is recognised, and it comes as encouragement to the members and an affirmation that the strong position that we have taken impressed the community and it is something that people admire and wish to recognise," he remarked.

Samuda added that the group he leads would continue to be effective in the business sector as it continued to address the issue of tax reform, the elimination of unnecessary bureaucracy, as well as encourage education in tourism.

"It is a huge part of what has allowed us to survive. It is a huge part of our future, and I think that we need to be educated to care for and promote the product that we have," he said.

The private-sector group heads were the final set of recipients to be recognised with this year's honour awards. The others were Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts, for Arts and Culture; Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival, for Entertainment; University of the West Indies' Professor Wayne McLaughlin, for Science and Technology; Dr Christopher Tufton, for Public Service; University of Technology, for Education; Andrews Memorial Hospital, for Health and Wellness; R. 'Danny' Williams, for Voluntary Service; and Mike Fennell, for Sports. Northern Caribbean University's victorious Xormis team and the Jamaica Social Investment Fund copped the Special Award. The Lifetime Award went to Professor Barry Chevannes.

The celebrations culminate with a gala luncheon on November 11 at the Terra Nova All Suite Hotel in St Andrew. The Gleaner Company's Man of the Year will be chosen from the list of this year's recipients.