The Editor Sir:

The banks in Jamaica and the general economy depend a lot on remittances from Jamaicans overseas. I live in the USA and travel to Jamaica every three months and send US dollars every month. I also earn a pretty decent income by working with one of the largest financial conglomerates in the world. I also have investment interest in Jamaica.

I applied for a US currency credit card from one of the local banks but the request was denied on the basis I was not living in Jamaica. This I found to be ironic, when, on one hand, Jamaicans overseas are being encouraged to invest in the island but, on the other hand, we are being refused benefits such as credit on the basis that we are not domiciled in Jamaica.

What is the new rule? Is it, 'we appreciate your remittances and investment money but sorry, we cannot afford you credit or other benefits because you do not live here'? This appears to be the norm because I have also encountered similar problems in trying to conduct other business deals, when I have to disclose my true place of abode.

If the treatment towards overseas Jamaicans continues on the same trend, I guarantee you, Mr Editor, "one day the bottom a go drop out". When remittances dwindle it may be too late to correct the situation as we may have lost all hope of truly calling Jamaica "home".

I am, etc.,

LYNDON MORRIS

pressoft@yahoo.com

Bronx, New York

Via Go-Jamaica