THE EDITOR, Sir:

This letter is further to the publication in the Wednesday February 20 edition of your newspaper of an article, "Samuda takes over red tape committee - names himself chairman" as well as the editorial titled "The line between policy and performance" in The Gleaner of Thursday, February 21, 2008.

Minister Karl Samuda did not personally assume chairmanship of the Target Growth Competi-tiveness Committee (TGCC).

Competitiveness research

Under the EU/GOJ Agreement for the Private Sector Development Programme, this committee which is charged with conducting research into issues of competitiveness and lobbying for the removal of those bottlenecks to competitiveness", it is prescribed that the committee is chaired by the Minister of {Development} as the agreement was signed under the former administration where such a ministry existed.

It was in his capacity as Chief Technical Director of the Ministry of Development that Dennis Morrison, economist, chaired the TGCC on behalf of the (former) Minister of Development.

With the change in administration, the ministry having leadership of the committee's affairs is the Ministry of Industry Investment & Commerce.

As such minister Samuda was fully briefed on the committee, its work, structure and functions. Specifically, under the committee's TORs, and general practice throughout the world, competitiveness councils or committees are chaired by either the Prime minister (President) or the Minister with responsibility for industry and commerce.

It is usual and indeed essential for such a public private partnership to be led by the highest levels of private and private sectors and this committee is currently in discussions for appointment of a private sector representative to jointly chair the TGCC with the honourable minister.

Neither is the TGCC a 'red tape' committee.

It is also important to clarify that the committee does not fall under Jamaica Trade & Invest (JTI). TGCC is supported by a Technical Secretariat, independent of JTI. This secretariat is hosted by JTI, which said organisation is the lead implementing agency of the PSDP.

Kayanne Taylor

Lobbyist, TGCC

ktaylor@psdpjamaica.com