THE EDITOR, Sir:
I HAVE always marvelled at the manner in which we perceive ourselves as members of an international community. We seem to exist in a cocoon in an oblivious state, believing that the world owe us something and that we can conduct our affairs without impacting on other people's opinion of us.
We opine on how we cannot attract investments without realising that we have created the atmosphere which is not conducive to capital. Recently, Minister Paulwell said in
Parliament that the environment in Jamaica was hostile to investments. This might have been a Freudian slip on his part, but it is the truth.
Minister Campbell said on the Perkin's show that the abuse of power is not corrupt. Mr. Paulwell has defined the situation and Mr Campbell has mentioned one of the causes.
We must begin to understand that capital goes where it is comfortable, and no entity or group invests in a country where it is suspected or believed that the situation is not likely to be so.
It is time to understand what needs to be done to extricate us out of our present predicament. Our governments must begin to plan and behave like statesmen instead of as politicians, and our people have to understand the we are not the most educated, the cheapest, nor the most disciplined work force in the world.
I am etc.,
BASIL NAAR
basilnaar@hotmail.com
