READERS RESPOND TO STEPHEN HILL ON MANUFACTURING

• You're wrong, Mr Hill

THE EDITOR, Sir:

As the CEO of Caribbean International Network, Stephen Hill would be an individual to look to for a great motivational speech or proposal to encourage the development of the manufacturing industry.

Instead, Mr Hill is heading the anti-manufacturing movement in Jamaica campaign.

As a developing country with many natural resources, we should be trying to revive our manufacturing industry instead of looking to the imported 'what lefts' of developed countries.

With the exposure of Jamaican-made goods through tourism, there are many windows open to global trading that are being ignored.

Jamaica has become a worldwide brand which many foreign countries have been carbonising. Garments branded Jamaica, or bearing photos of Bob Marley and Usain Bolt being manufactured overseas, have become a popular trend.

I would like to remind Mr Hill that in 1999 the garment industry in Jamaica employed thousands of locals and they formed 12.9 per cent of exports in 1999 earning US$159 million.

Jamaicans need jobs! If Mr Hill's digression was to determine the fate of the manufacturing industry 74, 000 Jamaicans would be left unemployed and their families sources of income ripped apart.

Mr Hill is only concerned with the problem of the structure of the international trade regime on Jamaica, but as Krishna Vaswani stated, it is up to manufacturers and the government to formulate policies to rid the system of its inefficiencies to protect the industry.

As Brian Pengelley acknowledged, there are sections of the manufacturing industry struggling to be efficient and therefore find it difficult to compete, but there are many industries that are doing well.

Whatever happened to national pride? In this situation the question applies to both manufacturers and consumers. If manufacturers don't take pride in their produce consumers will not support them and if consumers don't seek to boost local industries how will they survive?

We all can play our part in helping manufacturing by consuming more Jamaican goods.

Renee Brown

realbrownrenee@yahoo.com

• Lack of faith

The Editor, Sir:

I am really disappointed in Stephen Hill's lack of faith and perseverance. In the story 'Hill Suggests Radical Break from Manufacturing', Mr Hill argued that Jamaica should take a break from manufacturing.

Unquestionably, it is an ignorant approach to combating the problem of unemployment and economic growth in a developing country like Jamaica. Over the past few years, the country has been steadily improving its economic performance, despite a number of adversities.

If the manufacturing industry employs 74,000 workers and is to be destroyed, this will result in the livelihood of 74,000 persons which depended on the manufacturing industry being destroyed also. Will this contribute to the betterment of the country's economic situation?

Manufacturing in Jamaica covers the production of a wide variety of products including: spices, natural juices, spirits, wines, liqueurs, cosmetics, apparel, pharmaceuticals, and even canned ackee.

Throughout the region, there are Jamaicans residing in various areas who are accustomed to their authentic Jamaican lifestyle, whether it be the food or our exquisite style of clothing, resulting in a demand of Jamaican manufactured goods.

This activity will boost reintegration as well as popularise the Jamaican produce on the international market. We cannot sit constrained, waiting on an opportunity to come our way; we need to act efficiently and utilise the resources and opportunities we now have available

I am in agreement with Mr Azan's opinion that the consumers have a choice between imported good and locally produced goods. Instead of criticising the efforts of our Jamaican manufacturers, we need to think of innovative ideas that will enhance productivity and encourage international trade competitiveness.

I believe the Jamaican Government should consider implementing strategies to further facilitate an environment which optimises the potential of our Jamaican producers. As the popular saying goes, 'encouragement sweeten labah'.

The Jamaican Government should offer grants and provide assistance to sustain and encourage the manufacturing industry.

Damian Brown

Ocho Rios, St Ann