CLARKE

Chris Zacca, deputy chairman of the ATL Group, said he was surprised by, and regretted the decision of William 'Bill' Clarke, head of the Bank of Nova Scotia, to pull his company out of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ).

Mr. Clarke has also pulled out of the contest with Mr. Zacca for the presidency of the PSOJ but remains on its executive as president of the Jamaica Bankers' Association.

Mr. Clarke's actions follow PSOJ members' rejection of his proposals to reform the PSOJ's constitution at their AGM on Tuesday at which Mr. Zacca was elected onto the executive.

"I would hope that the BNS will reconsider their position as that organisation has been a longstanding member of the PSOJ, and definitely has an integral role to play within the PSOJ, now or in the future," said Mr. Zacca in a statement yesterday.

He expressed his satisfaction, as did the PSOJ in a statement, over the democracy of the AGM which Mr. Clarke had said was lacking.

"As president for the past few years, I have never been dictated to by anyone, and, with the officers of the PSOJ, I have sought consensus at all times and to work for the good of the private sector in as inclusionary a manner as possible," said current president Beverley Lopez who added that she hoped BNS would review the decision.

See The Business Section for more.