“Good Government Matters”: Prime Minister Holness Credits Good Government Policy for Jamaica’s Economic Momentum and National Development
Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness says good government and sound economic policy over the past nine years have shaped Jamaica’s development.
This has attracted transformative private-sector investment.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony of the Debottleneck project at Cemex, Caribbean Cement Company (Carib Cement) on Thursday (June 26), Prime Minister Holness emphasized that the increased private sector confidence being witnessed now is a direct result of deliberate, responsible, and visionary governance.
“Carib Cement, which is owned by a multinational corporation, would not put its capital at risk if it were not certain of the economic programme and economic policies of the Government of Jamaica.”
Prime Minister Holness addressed the narratives that attempt to downplay the role of government in national progress.
Dr. Holness explained that private investment does not exist in a vacuum.
The Prime Minister was clear: it is effective public policy that lays the foundation for such investment to flourish by creating jobs, building infrastructure, and improving lives.
“There is an attempt to disconnect the achievements of the country from the efforts of government. But I want our people to understand that government matters. The people you elect to administer your business matter.”
The Prime Minister pointed to Jamaica’s ongoing economic stability, increased housing starts, infrastructure expansion, and improved fiscal discipline as signs of a resilient, well-governed country that inspires confidence.
Prime Minister Holness asserted that Jamaica’s growth is driven by policy, not resources, in striking contrast to Guyana, where the economic boom is fueled by oil.
“Cranes are going up in Guyana because of oil. Cranes are going up in Jamaica because of policy. That is an incontrovertible, uncontested fact,” he said.
Dividends of good management of the economy
Dr. Holness pointed out that there has been no discovery of any mineral or other natural resource in Jamaica. However, from the dividends of having a stable and thriving economy, the government has been able to provide incentives to improve the lives of Jamaicans.
“The Government of Jamaica decided that we will give a reverse income tax credit and cut the GCT on electricity to give back. Recently we announced the Solidarity Programme which is a 1-billion-dollar giveback to persons who were not captured in any of the social safety net programmes. Where did that resource come from? That is the dividend from good management of the economy. Was it ever possible before? Promises were made to take GCT off electricity, and that didn’t happen. Promises were made to give back taxes, and that never happened. It only happened because government matters,” Dr. Holness explained.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister also highlighted bold reforms that have laid the groundwork for private sector growth, including the Accelerated Capital Allowance for investments in factories and commercial equipment, GCT reductions on electricity, and strategic infrastructure investments that create demand for key industrial inputs like cement.
“We could not rebuild this plant without the good policies that gave confidence to the investors to put down 7 billion Jamaican dollars.”
Dr. Holness noted that policy-driven industrial growth ultimately benefits the Jamaican people by creating jobs, boosting homeownership, and catalyzing economic opportunities.
“When we invest in factories, we invest in our families. When we strengthen our productive capacity, we strengthen our national development. And this project does more than support housing. It supports jobs. The construction phase employed scores of engineers, tradesmen, and technicians,” Dr. Holness said.
In the meantime, the Prime Minister used the occasion to encourage bold action from the business community.
“The Government has created the space, and now we ask the private sector to step forward boldly. You can invest in your plant, upgrade your facilities, train your workers, and expand your exports.”
Prime Minister Holness also urged citizens to recognize the real engine behind Jamaica’s current momentum.
“What we do today may seem like a corporate affair, but it will soon be felt in your everyday life. It will be seen in the speed at which housing is built. It will be evident in the jobs created. This is how we are going to rebuild Jamaica: by solid partnerships, good government, good policies, good enterprise, and a tech-savvy, competent labour force.”
As Jamaica continues to transform, Prime Minister Holness reiterated that good governance matters, not just in theory, but in the tangible opportunities and renewed confidence it brings to Jamaican lives.