At the PODIUM

WEEKLY SELECTION OF EXCERPTS AND QUOTES

1. I submit that you can grow beyond yourself, but you must first be confident in knowing who you are. Remember, Beenie Man asked himself the question "Who am I?" and answered himself "me a di gal dem sugar". Likewise, we must determine who we are, where we are at a point in time - we decide that or become conscious that we can grow beyond who we are by exploring and pursuing our God-given potential, and seize the opportunity to grow. For this to happen, we have to tune out the noises that surround us in life - at home, at work, in relationships or anywhere there is a pervasive negative climate.

This decision can bring out what seems to be the rebel in you, you may even seem to be anti-establishment, and also, may have to become alone, but not lonely.

- Audrey Hinchcliffe, chief executive officer, Manpower & Maintenance Services Ltd, speaking at the Belmont Dukes branch, Sagicor Life's annual sales awards.

2. Dr Carolyn Gomes, executive director of Jamaicans for Justice, is encouraging all Jamaicans to demand greater accountability and transparency from elected representatives and public institutions. She laments the fact that, after more than nine years since the Keating Report on Jamaica's children's homes and places of safety, the conditions remain the same for children languishing in lock-ups and prisons.

Dr Gomes said the selection of persons for posts such as the children's advocate lacked transparency. "The process of selection for these posts should include published requests for applications with required qualifications and job responsibilities," she said. "Instead of taking action in matters of human rights and justice, the Government keeps appointing committees to review recommendations already made by previous committees.

Stressing that "indifference and silence make it possible for evil to triumph," Dr Gomes said Jamaicans must insist on greater accountability from their elected representatives.

- Dr Carolyn Gomes, speaking to the Rotary Club of Liguanea Plains, Eden Gardens, on Thursday, March 7.

3. I have some suggestions for the revitalisation of club cricket.

Think how our clubs would be transformed if all graduates from cricket clubs return to enthusiastically participate, whether through their time, coaching and mentoring or personal resources in cash or kind. It is incumbent on the current core of active members of cricket clubs to find ways to re-engage the former members of their clubs to participate again actively. Find the emotional channels that will reconnect past players and spectators with the clubs.

There has been universal disappointment and frustration at the non-implementation of what is colloquially called the 'Patterson Report of 2007'. That report called for a major overhaul of the governance structure of West Indies cricket, and specifically the board. This has not happened.

Cricket is now the second most widely watched sport internationally behind football, excluding the US-centred sports. We are part of a global industry which now requires us to function like a business rather than a hobby, or become marginalised.

- Douglas Orane, speaking at the Jamaica Cricket Association Annual Awards Dinner, Friday, March 1.

4. The Caribbean economy continues to be affected by weakness in both the US and Europe, including the threat of a 'triple dip' recession in the UK.

Fortunately, a growing number of positive indicators continue to emerge in the US and we are seeing growth slowly accelerate.

Strengthening employment conditions - a function of revitalised manufacturing and energy production - are unleashing pent-up consumer demand and underpinning a rebound in the housing sector. We are also seeing strength in US equity markets.

The eurozone remains in recession, but the acute dangers of a year ago have subsided.

Sovereign debt-borrowing costs are down from their highest levels; progress is being made on addressing the structural budgetary and competitive deficiencies in many of the most affected countries.

Things are moving in the right direction, Jamaica should benefit from a better global backdrop as the country implements a number of structural economic reforms.

- Brian Porter, chairman, Scotiabank Group, speaking at the bank's recent annual general meeting.

5. "At ARC, export earnings have always preoccupied the minds of our management team. We have recognised the need to export not only as a strategy to increase our revenues, but also to generate the necessary foreign exchange for raw materials and commodity trade.

This lumber treatment plant provides us with a lead product to champion the export market. The commissioning of this plant provides unique opportunities in import substitution, export earnings and export contracted services. Our short-term objective is to halve our domestic revenues with foreign revenues, while long term is to equal or exceed our domestic revenues.

Our aim is not only to export what we manufacture here at ARC, but also any other exportable Jamaican product. We are positioning ourselves to take advantage of the opportunities within our local market as well as externally. This lumber treatment plant is in effect the launch of Arc Export."

- Norman Horne, chairman and CEO, speaking at the official opening of ARC Lumber Treatment Plant, Kingston, on Wednesday.