As the Government ponders how to deal with the growing trade deficit, the decreasing number of business people are pondering how to deal with the problem of crime that is killing the sector.

Jamaica's business sector faces a number of challenges - high interest rates, high production and security costs, and unfair trade barriers from Caricom partners. But the most important challenge is gun crime. This is literally destroying the sector. The robbing and killing of the few entrepreneurs who are willing and able to survive the harsh economic climate are driving the business sector into the ground.

Just last week, a Mrs Mattis, who owned and operated a bakery with her husband, in the Mount Industry district of Glengoffe, was robbed and killed.

Former teacher

She was a former teacher and business woman. Why kill someone who gave so much to her community? I know she will be missed, and those who benefited from her generosity, love, kind and encouraging words, if you know anything, should give the information to the police.

We are doing more harm to the business sector than our partners in Caricom. We have to deal with the gunmen and the crime problems more urgently and our counterparts will have more respect for us and whatever else we have - to offer goods and services.

We can't continue like this!

I am, etc.,

FRANKLYN GILPIN

goug_23@yahoo.com