- FILE
Phillips: The role of the state must be to support the development of entrepreneurship ... with the removal of bureaucratic red tape.Claudine Housen, Staff Reporter
WESTERN BUREAU:
ENTREPRENEURSHIP IS being touted by National Security Minister Dr. Peter Phillips as the platform on which future employment and subsequent economic growth will be created.
Minister Phillips was speaking at a Rotary Club of Montego Bay East Centennial dinner, in the Second City, on Saturday.
Citing a 50 per cent expansion of room capacity in the western tourism belt over the next three years, Dr. Phillips called for an alliance between the state, the production sector, civil society and communities to foster expansion of entrepreneurship so that the benefits can be had by all.
"Jamaica's economic future can only be secured by the expansion of entrepreneurship so that the benefits will not be confined to a few," Dr. Phillips said. "Individuals and communities must create enterprises of sufficient scale and competitiveness so that they can generate the employment which is demanded."
The national security minister also highlighted the role of the state in the furtherance of this idea, and stated that in order to facilitate this move the state will need to revamp its approach to small and medium-size companies.
REMOVING ILLICIT ACTIVITIES
"The role of the state must be to support the development of entrepreneurship and particularly of small businesses with training, advice and the removal of bureaucratic red tape and obstacles," he said. "Too many people find state agencies and institutions as hostile zones rather than institutions designed to facilitate their own well-being."
Civil society not being left out, Dr. Phillips also called on the community to bear with the Jamaica Constabulary Force as it tries to eradicate crime and violence in the country.
"We cannot build an economy based on criminalities," he said. "We will have to endure the pain of removing those who were rooted into illicit activities so that legitimate economic activities can grow and grow in the fullness that we expect. If we want good money to come, in we have to get rid of the bad money in our midst."
