"The impact of this global recession is increasingly being felt in Jamaica; we have serious problems with the bauxite industry for the simple reason that 50 per cent of the bauxite that is produced throughout the world is utilised in the automobile industry and the construction industry. Much of that goes into the United States and I am sure many people are aware that the construction industry in America is in a serious slump. The automobile industry is expected to decline by 25 per cent and, therefore, the demand for bauxite and alumina has fallen considerably."

Tourism:

"We are doing better than most other Caribbean countries in terms of our arrivals [of tourists], but we must understand that there are going to be tough times ahead. And the tourists that are coming here are perhaps spending less, coming here with less money and, therefore, we are going to see some stress in that industry as well."

Crime:

"I am hoping, we can strengthen the capacity of the police."

Unemployment:

"There are a number of things we are doing: We have provided some special funds through the Jamaica Business Development Centre, through credit unions, through the Scotia Small Loans Programme, because we are trying to see if we can provide some capital support for people to do something while jobs are in retreat because investments are on hold and business is bad because of what is happening throughout the world."