Susan Gordon, Staff Reporter
"JAMAICA SHOULD sort out its macro-economic stability," says Opposition Spokesperson on Industry, Commerce and Investment Promotion, Senator Shirley Williams.
She said this should be a consensus move between the two main political parties and members of the private sector.
Senator Williams was speaking on Tuesday at the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica and Cable and Wireless Jamaica Job Creation Award Ceremony, held at the Terra Nova All Suite Hotel in St. Andrew.
"If we are to move forward, the parties must come together on the critical issues regarding our macro-economic policies," said Senator Williams.
Arguing that Jamaica is in no position to compete in the CARICOM market because of its dollar value, high inflation rates and poor human resource capabilities, Senator Williams also criticised the Government for putting a five year limit on companies to write off their tax losses.
"We always had an unlimited period," said Ms. Williams. "I think we should continue with an unlimited tax policy for the companies," she added, underscoring that many of the companies which are operating today are still carrying forward losses from the financial collapse of the nineties.
She said that until further investigations behind the financial collapse of the nineties are completed, her party could not propose a suitable time limit for tax write offs.
On the issue of the stabilisation of exchange rates, Ms. Williams said that is still being debated by her party.
This month's awardees at the PSOJ/C&WJ Job Creation Awards Ceremony, were Jamaica Energy Partners, Quality Incorporations VII Limited and Deryck A. Gibson Limited.
Jamaica Energy Partners and Quality Incorporations VII Limited were awarded for creating a minimum of 25 jobs over the previous twelve months. Combined, the two companies employ approximately 130 persons. Deryck A. Gibson Limited was recognised for its more than forty years of contribution to employment in Jamaica. This company began trading in 1956.
