Anthony Hylton, the Opposition Spokesperson on Investment, Trade & Global Logistics, has condemned the government’s ‘pivot to growth’, as outlined by the Minister of Industry, Investment & Commerce Aubyn Hill in his recent State of the Nation address, calling it an admission of the failure of its economic policies.

Hylton argued that the primary goal of the government’s economic strategy should be the well-being of its citizens.

“The increasing trade deficit and dearth of foreign direct investment, combined with sustained low productivity and the lack of competitiveness of locally produced goods and services, are set to undermine the hard-won macro-economic stability enjoyed since 2015,” he stated.

He further criticised the Minister’s appeal to the local private sector to “create new products and find new markets overseas if Jamaica is to reverse its 61-year-old trade deficit”, describing it as an attempt to deflect from the government’s own shortcomings in securing new market-opening agreements and attracting significant investments into Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and non-traditional sectors, despite multiple overseas trips.

Hylton also pointed out that the minister has essentially assumed the role of JAMPRO’s chief promoter, adding that the minister must take full responsibility for the agency’s failure to attract investments, which have been far lower than those achieved under the previous PNP administration up to 2016.

Additionally, Hylton expressed disappointment over the government’s lack of progress in advancing the Global Logistics Hub Initiative (GLHI), a project introduced by the PNP in 2013. The initiative aimed to establish Jamaica as the region’s leading trade and logistics hub, enhancing connectivity to both regional and global markets and improving the competitiveness of locally produced goods and services.

Hylton concluded that the ‘pivot to growth’ has become necessary because the government has failed to implement a clear and comprehensive strategy to ‘balance the books while balancing people’s lives’ and stimulate economic growth. The minister is now being urged to disclose the number of trips taken at taxpayers’ expense and the benefits derived from these trips since his appointment to the portfolio.