The Editor, Sir:

I am not a financial wizard but as a lay person, there seems to many deep-rooted risks attached to the recent slew of investment schemes in Jamaica.

Most of these risks are obvious; however, here is one which may deserve some consideration by the once again 'gullible' Jamaican public - posed as a question.

Once this volume of money is transferred from deposits in the conventional banking system to these high-interest paying 'schemes', there will be limited funds to finance trade affordably e.g., letters of credit, etc.

Adding to the problem

Jamaica already has a huge problem with skyrocketing cost of living. Would not this new high cost of funding add fuel to that problem?

It is the Government's respon-sibility to educate the total Jamaican population, as to the not-so-obvious risks of these types of investments.

Jamaica has been down this path on several occasions before - seemingly, greed and short-term gain is overriding wisdom.

This time it may be more disastrous, considering the current social, economic and political climate in Jamaica.

I am, etc.,

CONCERNED JAMAICAN

New York, U.S.