Andrew commits to facilitate businesses

Prime Minister-designate Andrew Holness has vowed to move swiftly to reduce the bureaucracy which is stifling businesses locally.

Hours after the Financial Gleaner published details of the World Bank's 2012 Doing Business Report, which showed Jamaica falling, Holness told private-sector leaders that he is committed to reducing the bureaucratic inefficiencies.

"I am pro-business," declared Holness as he accepted that bureaucracy was stifling the country's economic growth.

"It is clear in my mind that for Jamaica to grow, government must facilitate business and commerce," added Holness.

He admitted that other prime ministers had made a similar pledge without success, but Holness argued that he intended to walk the road not yet trod to ensure that the private sector found it easier to do business locally.

Jamaica slipped seven places in the Doing Business Report this year when compared to last year.