A GROUP of public sector officers is to be appointed by the Government to carry out a definitive study of the sugar industry and make recommendations on its future.
This was disclosed in a news release from the Office of the Prime Minister following yesterday's meeting between Prime Minister P.J. Patterson and public sector officials at Jamaica House.
The OPM said the group would be made up of representatives of the Sugar Industry Authority, the Development Bank of Jamaica and the Planning Institute of Jamaica. It is expected to devise a work plan covering all critical areas of the industry. The group will submit its work plan to a Cabinet subcommittee meeting scheduled for the week of January 22.
A technical co-ordinator for the group is to be appointed after next Monday's Cabinet meeting.
On the question of the input of other groups within the industry, Mr. Patterson has instructed Roger Clarke, Minister of Agriculture, to take charge of all dialogue critical to the process, including with trade unions, sugar technologists, factory owners both public and private, political parties and community groups in the affected areas.
