Sabrina N. Gordon, Business Reporter

Don Wehby seen as acknowledgement of private-sector importance. - File

Bruce Golding's unusual move of placing three Cabinet ministers within the Finance Ministry, two without portfolio, has got positive reactions from business interests and analysts, largely because of the Wehby factor.

Don Wehby, second in charge of one of Jamaica's most powerful companies, has been named Minister Without Portfolio, to work alongside new Finance Minister, Audley Shaw.

Dwight Nelson, who was chief spokesman for the JLP in opposition, will also join Shaw at National Heroes Circle as Minister Without Portfolio.

The Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica said it was pleased overall with the selections.

"The cabinet appointment is consistent with the views expressed in the Prime Minister's speech and his manifesto of wanting to move governance in a different direction," said PSOJ vice president Richard Chen.

"I think the appointment of Wehby is key to this direction."

Financial Analyst John Jackson meantime believes Golding has come up with the right blend.

"The team represents a mixture of youth and experience, and based on the available talent I think it is a credible team," said Jackson.

Economist Errol Gregory says he, too, was impressed.

"I am impressed with the appointments given the situation of the economy and the need to address issues of fiscal deficit and attained targets within the economy, the focus should now be on performance."

Meantime, Anya Schnoor, said it was time for the new government to get down to business.

Time for action

"Appointments have been made, now it's time for action and what they need to do is to ensure that they come up to speed with their portfolio," said Schnoor, speaking as president of the Jamaica Securities Dealers' Association.

She believes that Don Wehby will be good for finance, "He has a lot of experience in the field and will provide a good support for the Finance Minister," she said.

Chen said Wehby's inclusion in the Finance Ministry team would build market confidence.

"His appointment will give the financial services sector further confidence that the government is in a capable and safe hand," said Chen, who heads operations at the family-owned Super Plus chain.

The island's bankers also endorsed Wehby's selection.

"The appointment signals a step in the right direction of inclusiveness and a teamwork approach and a focus on management", said Wayne Wray, vice-president of the Jamaica Bankers' Association.

Wray as president of First Global Bank, has worked closely with Wehby who has oversight of the First Global Group, as deputy chief executive officer of GraceKennedy and as CEO of GK Investments.

The inclusion of a top private sector player "shows that thought was put into constructing the cabinet," said Wray.

sabrina.gordon@gleanerjm.com