AMIDST the recently positive news t

AMIDST the recently positive news that Jamaica has performed beyond expectations of the International Monetary Fund targets, the economy remains fragile as it continues to encounter headwinds from a Debt to GDP ratio of 140 per cent and decades of anaemic growth. A lack of economic growth can define and undermine the ability of any government to manage, effectively, the country's affairs. Against this backdrop, the Government needs to make it a national imperative to place our economy on a growth path for long-term sustainability through ambitious and clearly communicated reforms.

The logistics hub investment — the ubiquitous debate — by the Chinese is US$1.5 billion, approximately 10 per cent of GDP, the largest single investment in recent times. Of significance, it has the potential to open up other economic possibilities through private sector involvement. Jamaica ranks 124 out of 155 countries, according to the World Bank Logistics Performance Report 2012, however the country has the latent ability to improve and ascend to the top quintile of performers. Understandably, our logistics performance will not improve overnight, but it can be done through strategic planning and long-term comprehensive reforms. Moreover, the report discloses that freight transport and the accompanying logistics represent one of the most dynamic and important sectors of the European economy, accounting for at least 10 per cent of GDP. Within this context, the level of impact on our economy should be similar.