Development Minister Dr. Paul Robertson holds up the controversial report, 'Doing Business in 2004' which ranks Jamaica in the Top Ten places for doing business in the world. He was speaking at the post-sectoral debate press conference at the Office of the Prime Minister yesterday. In the background is chairman of JAMPRO, Joseph A. Matalon.
Rudolph Brown photo
Leonardo Blair, Staff Reporter
DEVELOPMENT MINISTER, Dr. Paul Robertson yesterday dismissed criticism by Karl Samuda, Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Spokesman on Trade and Industry, which implied that Jamaica's Top 10 ranking in the publication 'Doing Business in 2004' was not credible.
Mr. Samuda in his contribution to the Sectoral Debate on Tuesday said the report was not sanctioned by the World Bank whose directors noted in a disclaimer that the findings in the report did not reflect their views or those of the Bank.
In his response to the criticisms at a post-sectoral press briefing held at the Office of the Prime Minister, Dr. Robertson strongly backed the report without apology.
INVALUABLE CO-OPERATION
"Let me remind you that it was the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) that first announced Jamaica's ranking in the 'Doing Business in 2004 Report' which is an indication that the report is credible," the Minister said. "The preface of the report indicates, The Doing Business project receives the invaluable co-operation of local partners municipal officers, registrars, tax officers, credit registry managers ... only those with professional knowledge and experience provide data and the indicators build on local knowledge ... the data is posted on the Web so anyone can check and challenge their veracity."
In a slide presentation from the report, Dr. Robertson explained that the topics analysed in the World Bank report included starting a business, hiring and firing workers, enforcing contracts, getting credit and closing a business.
Jamaica was ranked at number five in the top 10. Leading the charge of countries in that category was Australia, followed by Canada and Denmark. In the report, Jamaica is ahead of The Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore, Sweden and the United Kingdom.
The Government agencies which were tested in the assessment were the Jamaica Customs, National Land Agency, National Environment and Planning Agency and JAMPRO.
According to the Jamaica Information Service, significant investments by the Government in these departments had greatly improved the efficiency and turnaround time of doing business here in Jamaica.
Jamaica is the only developing country on the list.
