The Editor, Sir:

Sometime ago I attended a seminar in Ocho Rios on the Private Sector Development Programme with a topic 'Cost Sharing Business Development Services'. After careful examination the amount of documentation was so much that instead of hiring a chartered accountant to prepare the papers it would have been better to take that money and invest it in your own project. Especially when you consider that the funds may not be made available. How difficult it is to invest in your own country with a project!

Plagiarism

Apart from that the document stipulates how persons within the European Union are protected when an original project is identified and I quote from their form Ref: CS/Bos/06/001 "All personal data (such as names, addresses, CVs, etc.,) mentioned in your application form will be processed in accordance with Regulation (EC) No. 45/2001 of the European Parliament and of Council of 18 December 2000 on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data by the community institution ...".

In contrast does the Jamaican situation offer a similar protection? Is the 'wicket' then left open for plagiarism?

Looking at the contribution the European Union has been making to Jamaica in the banana industry and highway construction, the good intention has been established, but how can we iron out things and make projects work?

I am, etc.,

DENNIS HIGGINS

Chairperson,

St. Ann Heritage Foundation

17 Main Street

St Ann 's Bay