I believe it is detrimental to the Jamaican economy to pursue the option of overseas employment of Jamaicans as a means of earning money by proxy through remittances.

There must be a paradigm shift that insists on the creation of jobs in Jamaica for Jamaicans. The current global crisis must be looked at in view of how Jamaica can resolve our dependence on items outside our shores and beyond our control.

Capacity uncapped

Thousands of hectares of Jamaican lands lie fallow while we import basic food items. Our manufacturing capacity lies untapped, largely due to under-capitalisation. The financial sector remains paralysed by the never-ending 'mopping up of liquidity', leaving no money for business or manufacturing.

So, even if new money makes it into the Jamaican economy, it ends up in the vaults of the central bank, ironically earning more than any current productive enterprise, except JPS, which has a government-guaranteed return on its investment.

Retaining local resources

A new paradigm of retention of local human resources, with an aim to keeping the best and brightest in Jamaica, has to be central policy to righting our economy at all levels.

I would encourage the governing administration to establish development programmes that will grow Jamaican business especially small and medium-size.

We cannot continue looking overseas for our salvation.

I am, etc.,

HUGH M. DUNBAR

hmdenergy@optonline.net

West New york