Jamaica's World

Jamaica, a land of wood and water, reggae music, and vibrant culture, has always punched above its weight. Our small island nation has had a disproportionate impact on the world stage, from sports and music to literature and politics. But in a rapidly changing world, where global events send ripples even to our shores, it's more critical than ever to have a dedicated space for Jamaican voices to analyze, critique, and respond. That's why we are launching Jamaica's World. This new section will be a hub for extended commentaries and select speeches that delve deep into the issues facing Jamaica today, from the local to the global. We will explore the impact of climate change on our island, the challenges of economic development, and the ongoing struggle for social justice. We will also examine the role of Jamaica in the wider world, from our relationships with our Caribbean neighbors to our place in the global economy. But this isn't just a space for experts and academics. We believe that every Jamaican has a story to tell and a perspective to share. We invite contributions from all walks of life – writers, activists, students, business leaders, and everyday citizens – at home and in the diaspora. Whether you are a seasoned commentator or a first-time writer, we want to hear your voice. Have a burning opinion on the latest government policy? A unique perspective on the impact of global events on Jamaica? A powerful speech you want to share with a wider audience? We encourage you to submit your contributions to impactingjamaica@gmail.com. Join the conversation. Let's shape the future of Jamaica together. One word at a time.

The Economic Consequences of Trump 2.0

WASHINGTON, DC – US President Donald Trump’s second administration starts at noon on January 20. Trump’s non-stop election campaign since losing to Joe Biden in 2020 suggests a better organized redo of his first term, with the same focus on tax cuts to boost the economy, higher tariffs to reshape US trade with the world, and deporting as many immigrants as possible to generate more opportunities for American workers. But times have changed, and reality is unlikely to match rhetoric. In 2016, when Trump first won the presidency, the United States was experiencing a prolonged period of low inflation. The Federal Reserve kept interest rates near zero throughout his administration. This time, however, is quite different. Inflation spiked during the COVID pandemic, and the Fed is still on guard against a resurgence – hence interest rates remain relatively high. Trump’s proposed tax cuts imply a fiscal stimulus for an economy with low unemployment. Any signs of overheating will be met by tighter monetary policy. Trump has made noises about changing the leadership of the Fed, but he cannot fire Fed Chair Jerome Powell without risking both higher long-term interest rates and higher inflation. There will be tax cuts in 2025, mostly for rich people, and the consequent loss of revenue will undermine long-term fiscal sustainability. Larger deficits will keep interest rates higher than they would be otherwise, and the dollar may strengthen, creating difficulties for US exporters and for countries that have borrowed in dollars. On tariffs, the world’s leaders (and financial markets) have come to understand that Trump talks loudly and carries a pretty small stick. He will no doubt noisily impose some high-profile tariffs, but US business interests will immediately begin seeking loopholes and lobbying for exceptions. Foreign leaders will make the pilgrimage to Mar-a-Lago, play some golf, and negotiate mutual carve-outs (we won’t tax your bourbon, if you don’t tax our cognac, and we’ll buy more US-made air defense systems). Trump could ignore all this special pleading and insist on higher tariffs across the board. But that will bring more retaliation from trading partners and more protests from the big companies that now back him. The last thing Trump wants is to cause domestic job losses, which could happen if US-based companies must pay more for imports and lose competitiveness in export markets. If foreign leaders don’t make him look bad on the golf course and emphasize the jobs their companies create in the US (particularly in Republican-controlled states), everything will be up for reasonable discussion. On illegal immigration, Trump is sure to have impact. The “border wall” is an illusion with no real meaning. But Trump is already threatening to punish Mexico and other countries (even Canada!) with high tariffs and other measures unless they hold back immigrants, and this will have some effect. Trump may also be clever enough to relax US sanctions on Venezuela, allowing more oil onto the world market and also helping the Venezuelan economy. That would reduce pressure on Venezuelans to emigrate, while also squeezing Iran and Russia (both of which rely on oil sales to finance purchases of electronic parts from China for use in weapons). Trump could go further by rounding up and deporting millions of people who are in the US illegally. But mass deportation would harm major sectors of the economy (such as agriculture and construction), fuel massive social disruption, and cause his business allies to cut back on their investments (and job creation). Again, we should expect to see political grandstanding and sensational headlines, but the reality will not be much changed (illegal immigration has already fallen). So, what will Trump really do? Will he purchase Greenland (or Canada!) or somehow reacquire control over the Panama Canal or reduce US support for NATO? None of Trump’s recent statements on these topics are meaningless, but nor should they be taken literally. Again, Trump wants to get what he considers (and what he can portray as) a “better” deal for the US. If he doesn’t say what that means now, it just means he is open to suggestion – or he can just define whatever the end point turns out to be as a strategic victory. That’s what happened during Trump’s first administration, when NAFTA (the North American Free Trade Agreement) was renegotiated with Mexico and Canada. Trump had originally threatened to tear up NAFTA “on day one.” Eventually, he settled for small modifications (including amending the rules of origin in a way that was acceptable to all sides) and a rebranding that turned NAFTA into the USMCA (the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement). A broader reshaping of the world is afoot, but this has nothing to do with the incoming administration, which is unlikely to respond effectively. For example, Trump is still using bellicose language about confronting China and Iran, but both are already in bad economic shape and hardly pose a threat to regional order – let alone international peace. And, as he did in his first administration, Trump promises to withdraw from foreign interventions (Afghanistan and Iraq then; Ukraine now). But Russia’s need for drones and missiles to launch at Ukraine has made President Vladimir Putin fully subservient to China. Does Trump (and the Republican Congress) really want to hand a weakened President Xi Jinping an illegitimate and bloody victory in Ukraine? What American voters really care about is good jobs and the cost of living. But Trump’s “populist” agenda – a smoke-and-mirrors program, sustained by fear of imagined enemies – is a failure foretold. Trump inherits a strong economy, but his signature policies will do almost nothing positive for less educated workers or significantly improve the lives of most other Americans. Instead, the rich will get richer, the richest will get a lot richer, and everyone else will most likely struggle with higher inflation, cuts to public services, and the effects of runaway deregulation. Simon Johnson, a 2024 Nobel laureate in economics and a former chief economist at the International Monetary Fund, is a professor at the MIT Sloan School of Management and a co-author (with Daron Acemoglu) of Power and Progress: Our Thousand-Year Struggle Over Technology and Prosperity (PublicAffairs, 2023). Copyright: Project Syndicate, 2025. www.project-syndicate.org

January 10, 2025

Are High-Skill Immigrants a Problem?

BOSTON – Fissures within US President Donald Trump’s “Make America Great Again” coalition have appeared sooner than expected. By the end of December, the tech-billionaire wing was in open warfare with MAGA’s nativist wing over America’s H-1B visa program, which enables US businesses to employ some 600,000 skilled foreigners per year on a temporary basis. Speaking for the billionaires, Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla (a top H-1B employer), argues that, “There is a permanent shortage of excellent engineering talent. It is the fundamental limiting factor in Silicon Valley.” Likewise, Vivek Ramaswamy, another tech billionaire advising Trump, claims that US companies need H-1B workers because, “Our American culture has venerated mediocrity over excellence for way too long (at least since the 90s and likely longer).” In response, MAGA activists like Laura Loomer and Steve Bannon – but also democratic socialists like Bernie Sanders – countered that the program helps large US corporations at the expense of American workers. Who’s right? While economic research makes clear that immigrants bring sought-after skills, creative dynamism, and useful knowledge that also helps domestic innovators, that doesn’t mean there is no downside to heavy reliance on H-1B visas. For example, the argument that the H-1B program helps employers secure STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) skills ignores the fact that if there were no such program, US educational institutions would feel greater pressure from business to address this need. The idea of elites pushing the education system to produce workers with useful skills and attitudes goes back at least to Sam Bowles and Herb Gintis’s influential 1976 book, Schooling in Capitalist America. Applying their argument to the present, one would expect corporate America’s growing need for skilled STEM workers to translate into advocacy for, and investments in, STEM education. But an overreliance on the H-1B program may have broken this link and made American elites indifferent to the widely recognized failures of the US education system. Put differently, the problem may not be a cultural veneration of mediocrity, as Ramaswamy argued, but rather neglect on the part of business leaders, intellectual elites, and politicians. This is just a possibility, of course. We cannot say for sure that the response from the education system would be adequate even if it did feel more pressure from the business community. But whatever the case, surely US policymakers should pay more attention to the program’s potential secondary effects. A similar argument applies to choices about technology. Even as H-1B workers boost innovation, their presence may affect the direction innovation takes. My own work shows (theoretically and empirically) that when the supply of skilled labor increases, technology choices start favoring such workers. Over the last several decades, businesses have increasingly adopted technologies that favor high-skill workers and automate tasks previously performed by lower-skill workers. While this trend may have been driven by other factors, too, the availability of affordable high-skill workers for the tech industry plausibly contributed to it. Again, this effect reflects indifference on the part of business leaders and policymakers. It also suggests that if the US is going to rely on H-1B workers, policymakers should consider other adjustments to ensure that corporate strategies and the designs of new technologies seek to make use of workers without STEM skills or college degrees. A final relevant question is whether programs such as H-1B could harm source countries by creating a brain drain. This, too, is open to debate. Such programs could be a win-win if destination economies have technologies, institutions, and other skilled workers that are especially complementary to high-skill immigrants. In this case, an Indian STEM worker would contribute more to global output or innovation from the United States than from India, and some of the additional scientific and technical knowledge produced would flow back home. In fact, there is evidence suggesting that such knowledge exchanges already occur through cross-border ethnic networks. But this win-win scenario would not take place if nearly all skilled, innovative workers departed the source country, because there would no longer be a critical mass of workers left to benefit from the knowledge flows. Moreover, for this win-win scenario to become a reality, the sharing of knowledge about new innovations and technical expertise must not reach such a scale or pace that it undercuts America’s own comparative advantage (which is rooted in innovation). In the economics literature, this issue is usually explored in the context of technology-product cycles. While we currently have little evidence about what constitutes a flow of information that is too fast, some believe that China has benefited unduly in this respect, improving its technologies rapidly at the expense of Western companies. Thus, a win-win scenario depends on sufficient numbers of skilled workers remaining in each source country, and on adequate international protections of intellectual property rights, so that innovators can reap the rewards from their contributions, at least for a while. The H-1B debate within Trump’s MAGA coalition raises some important questions for how the US should think about education and technology in an increasingly globalized knowledge economy. There are configurations that could ultimately benefit advanced economies and poorer countries alike. But whether they will be found over the next four years remains to be seen. Daron Acemoglu, a 2024 Nobel laureate in economics and Institute Professor of Economics at MIT, is a co-author (with Simon Johnson) of Power and Progress: Our Thousand-Year Struggle Over Technology and Prosperity (PublicAffairs, 2023). Copyright: Project Syndicate, 2025. www.project-syndicate.org

January 10, 2025

Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart Estate Drama Unfolds: Attorney Sets the Record Straight on Allegations

Highly respected Jamaican attorney-at-law Trevor Patterson has issued a statement responding to media reports about controversy surrounding the estate of the late businessman and hotel mogul Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart. The following is the full text of Mr. Patterson’s statement.

It has been brought to my attention that an article circulating on an Instagram account has made certain allegations against me, claiming fraud and forgery in relation to Gordon “Butch” Stewart’s wishes in respect of a certain trust established in Guernsey. The article quoted generously from a lawsuit which, though filed, is yet to be served on me. I was given no opportunity by the writer of the article to comment or respond. Ordinarily, I would not discuss the affairs of a client in the public domain but on this occasion, I am compelled to do so in defence of my professional integrity in light of these serious and false accusations regarding my conduct. The following are the pertinent facts. I was Butch Stewart’s personal attorney for nearly 20 years. I worked on his final Estate Plan, on and off, for a period of three (3) years. During that time, I repeatedly asked him to meet with his family and outline his plan to them. He consistently refused and I came to realize that it was because he felt it would cause disaffection among certain family members. In the course of drawing up his Will, Mr. Stewart warned me that, “Adam will come after you” and asked me to add my name to a list of pecuniary beneficiaries to whom he was bequeathing cash legacies. In my case, US$10 million. I refused, explaining that if my name were on the list I would not be able to defend his Will and wishes. He also asked me to become the Non-Executive Chairman of the Sandals and Beaches Group for an interim period of three (3) years after his death. I declined. From the very day when I read his Will and wishes to the family some family beneficiaries, namely Adam, Jaime and Brian were visibly upset. I am one of the co-Executors of the Estate and Adam has launched a persistent campaign against me to discredit me in an effort to overturn Mr. Stewart’s wishes. It started with an Affidavit filed by Adam in The Bahamas in April 2022 in which he stated that I changed the wishes after Mr. Stewart’s death. That is completely false. This most recent allegation relates to a trust established in Guernsey in 2005 which named Adam and Jaime Stewart as the original beneficiaries. Mr. Stewart wanted the assets in the Guernsey trust to be lumped together with assets in two (2) Bahamian trusts, one holding the Sandals & Beaches hotel chain, to be treated as one and distributed to his family in specified percentages. This was confirmed in inter alia (i) a 2018 Will; (ii) his last Will signed in 2020; (iii) a final Letter of Wishes signed January 3, 2021 (which simply reiterated what was previously said); and (iv) various Memoranda of instructions sent to two (2) US law firms and a Bahamian law firm which assisted in providing US tax advice and document review in relation to the plan. The documents to implement the plan were drafted before Mr. Stewart died. In 2019 I had received from a resident of The Bahamas (who was a director of Mr. Stewart’s private Bahamian trust company), a draft unsigned amendment to the Guernsey trust. I assumed that the document was drafted by the Bahamian lawyers who usually act in trust matters for Mr. Stewart. It concerned the addition of Mr. Stewart as beneficiary to the Guernsey trust. Mr Stewart rejected the document and said he had an alternative plan which turned out to be a sale of all of Sandals & Beaches assets and the assets in the Guernsey trust and division of the sale proceeds among the family beneficiaries in the stated percentages. Mr. Stewart died on January 4, 2021 and I commenced a review of all the trust documents. In relation to the Guernsey trust I reviewed the 2019 draft amendment and, in anticipation of the fact that the other family beneficiaries would need to be added to that trust in accordance with Mr. Stewart’s wish I, or it could have been my assistant on my instructions, added the names of the other family beneficiaries. In June 2021 I, along with the Bahamian director mentioned above of the Bahamian trust company, had a conference call with the Guernsey trustee in which I explained that it was Mr. Stewart’s wish that other family beneficiaries be added to that trust. The call concluded with the Guernsey trustee agreeing to follow whatever was done by the main trust in The Bahamas. Not long after, the main trustee in The Bahamas added a Family Beneficiary in accordance with Mr. Stewart’s wishes and I assumed that the Guernsey trustee would follow that lead. In September 2021 the Guernsey trust was raised at an Executors’ meeting and I was directed by the Executors to forward the draft unsigned document to the Guernsey trustee. At the direction of the Executors, I emailed the unsigned draft amending document to the Guernsey trustee with a covering letter referring to our telephone conversation and copying the other Executors. Although the original document had come to me from The Bahamas, it was not known to me (and I was never corrected) that the document was originally sent to The Bahamas by the Guernsey trustee itself. So, the Guernsey trustee knew the document and would have seen that the only amendment was the addition of the other family beneficiaries who were to be added to the trust. In my covering letter to the Guernsey trustee I said that the document was drafted by Bahamian counsel - which I truly believed to have been the case. I did not go further to say that it was further amended by me to add the other family beneficiaries. That was a detail previously discussed with the Guernsey trustee; namely, that other family beneficiaries would be added. In the said covering letter, authorising the Guernsey trustee to formulate and implement the plan for the addition of the other family beneficiaries, I expressly asked for the trustee’s recommendation as to how this could be done and what additional document the trustee would need from me to comply with Guernsey law and practice. I expected the Guernsey trustee to do what was necessary under Guernsey law and practice to implement the addition of the other family beneficiaries to that trust. I even volunteered to go to Miami to meet with the Protector of the Guernsey trust to discuss the details and how implementation would take place. To my amazement, the next development was a claim of fraud said to have been “discovered” by forensic examination of the document. I reject this claim entirely. At all times I have acted consistently with Mr. Stewart’s wishes. I have not distorted or departed from those wishes and have nothing to gain by doing so. The forensic examination revealed nothing that was not known before and was only designed to discredit me. The draft unsigned document: (a)said and did nothing that was not in keeping with the well-documented wishes of Mr. Stewart; (b)confirmed what had been previously discussed with the Guernsey trustee; (c)was sent on the direction of the Executors; and (d)followed what had already been done under the main Bahamian trust in reliance on the same documents. The real problem with the document, to which Adam and Jaime object, is that it sought to add other family beneficiaries to a trust which they want to claim as their own. For nearly four (4) years, I have steadfastly sought to implement the Will and wishes of Mr. Stewart and, for that reason, I have become the villain that must be destroyed. This latest incident is one of many which I have had to endure and about which Mr. Stewart had given me fair warning.

December 04, 2024

Jamaica’s Tourism Revolution: Resilient and Thriving!

Jamaica’s tourism industry stands as a testament to resilience, innovation, and adaptability. Time and again, it has risen above challenges that could have crippled lesser economies to maintain its position as a leading Caribbean destination. Through decisive action, strategic partnerships, and an unwavering commitment to inclusive development, Jamaica’s tourism sector has not only survived but thrived. This success is no accident - it is the result of careful planning and a collaborative vision for growth. A Legacy of Overcoming Adversity Over the years, Jamaica has faced numerous global and local crises with remarkable resolve. Following the 9/11 attacks, arrivals fell by no more than 5% as ships shifted to ports closer to the US. During the SARS outbreak in 2003, Jamaica swiftly implemented health protocols and confidence-building measures to reassure travellers. Similarly, when fuel prices surged and the global financial crisis hit in 2007/2008, the nation adapted by promoting value and attracting new markets. The unprecedented challenges of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic showcased Jamaica’s ability to unite in crisis, focusing on health, safety, and protecting livelihoods. Under the leadership of the Prime Minister, the Jamaica Economic Recovery Task Force, led by then Minister of Finance Nigel Clarke, developed safety nets for the most vulnerable while aligning recovery efforts across key sectors. Tourism and Health were pivotal, requiring unprecedented collaboration. The Tourism COVID Recovery Task Force, appointed by Minister of Tourism Hon. Dr Edmund Bartlett, brought together public and private sector leaders and consultants, many of whom offered their services pro bono. This team worked to reopen the industry in a measured, scientifically informed manner. At the same time, the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) ensured Jamaica maintained its visibility and appeal, even amid global travel restrictions. The country came together, as Jamaicans always do, to protect lives and livelihoods, achieving faster recovery and better health outcomes than many others. As a proud member of the industry, I have never been more inspired by the maturity and unity of our tourism ecosystem. Most recently, challenges like the negative travel advisory and Hurricane Beryl this year tested us again. Clear communication, strategic airlift recovery, and effective disaster readiness underscored Jamaica’s commitment to visitor and local safety. The term “long COVID,” typically associated with health issues, also describes the economic pressures felt by our industry. Higher costs of living, supply chain disruptions, and reduced visitor spending due to global inflation have impacted industry workers and businesses alike. Yet, as always, we will overcome these challenges together, and early demand for the coming winter season is already a promising sign. Strategic Areas for Improvement and Growth To sustain and expand Jamaica’s tourism success, we must adopt a forward-looking, comprehensive approach. A whole-of-government strategy, working in close partnership with the private sector, is essential. Tourism policies must be integrated across ministries such as finance, local government, transport, and agriculture, reflecting its critical role in the national economy. Tourism Economic Zones in key areas such as Montego Bay’s Hip Strip, Falmouth Pier, and Main Street in Ocho Rios can enhance infrastructure, security, and local business opportunities. These well-managed, vibrant spaces will attract both locals and visitors while fostering entrepreneurship. Expanding airlift through airline negotiations will improve accessibility and accommodate the growing number of rooms. Investments in tourism infrastructure - upgrading airports, roads, and inclusive tourism spaces - are crucial to maintaining our competitiveness. A 2024 Wakefield Research survey revealed that travellers prioritise experiences such as history, local cuisine, and cultural immersion. Aligning our efforts with these trends while investing in short-term rentals and authentic local experiences will allow Jamaica to meet modern travellers’ expectations. Diversifying Jamaica’s accommodation sector is also a key opportunity. The government should establish clear policies and incentives to encourage more European Plan (EP) resorts, which provide accommodations without fixed dining packages. EP resorts create enormous opportunities for Jamaicans to benefit directly by providing services and experiences to visitors. With greater freedom to explore local dining, entertainment, and tours, visitors staying at EP resorts would stimulate local businesses, empowering Jamaicans to participate in the industry as chefs, craft vendors, tour operators, and cultural ambassadors. This diversification not only strengthens our economy but also deepens the cultural connection between visitors and Jamaica. There is tremendous potential to improve tourism dollar retention by creating opportunities for local operators and businesses to supply goods and services. Achieving this demands more than moral suasion - it requires structured, legally supported frameworks to ensure inclusive tourism becomes a reality. Stakeholders must commit to nurturing linkages, creating higher-paying jobs through training, and setting ambitious goals for inclusive growth. A critical part of this is renegotiating agreements like the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the EU to secure fairer trade terms that support and protect local participation in the tourism sector. While the EPA has created opportunities, it has often favoured larger international players. To ensure inclusiveness, it must be restructured to reflect the unique needs of our local industry and empower Jamaicans at every level. The tourism industry must actively drive this local participation by creating avenues for farmers, manufacturers, service providers, and artisans to supply directly to hotels, attractions, and other operators. Policies and laws must prioritise and protect these efforts, providing tangible incentives that give local businesses a competitive edge. By recalibrating agreements like the EPA, Jamaica can foster collaboration and ensure the benefits of tourism are distributed more equitably. Through these measures, we can transform Jamaica’s tourism into a model of inclusivity, where the industry strengthens our economy while ensuring all Jamaicans - from major operators to small entrepreneurs - can thrive. We fully support our Prime Minister’s initiatives to pivot towards inclusive economic growth, which is particularly relevant to tourism. With collaboration and alignment, the industry offers untold opportunities to drive national growth. This must be done in partnership with the accommodation sub-sector to boost Jamaica’s economy and align with global Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) priorities. Inclusive Tourism: Participation for All For tourism to truly benefit Jamaica, we must embrace inclusive tourism, which ensures participation from all Jamaicans, including smaller stakeholders who require facilitation. This model moves beyond traditional approaches, focusing on creating opportunities for everyone - from large operators to small entrepreneurs. Inclusive tourism allows even the smallest players to contribute meaningfully, whether through providing experiences, services, or goods for the industry. Access to financing, including microloans, ESG loans, and grants, will help smaller participants develop offerings that showcase Jamaica’s unique culture and natural assets. By providing the necessary facilitation, such as training, marketing support, and infrastructure development, we can empower these contributors to thrive. Upskilling Jamaicans in hospitality, languages, and business will enable them to secure higher-paying roles and create their own opportunities within the industry. Targeted marketing campaigns showcasing experiences outside traditional hotels will attract travellers seeking immersive cultural and nature-based activities, driving economic benefits to wider communities. Unified Government Efforts to Support Tourism A cohesive, inter-ministerial approach is critical to unlocking tourism’s potential. A collaborative task force can align policies, streamline regulations, and improve efficiency across government agencies. Data sharing will enable evidence-based policymaking to foster sustainable growth while addressing national priorities. Investment in infrastructure that benefits both visitors and residents - such as roads, utilities, green spaces, and Inclusive Tourism Zones - will enhance Jamaica’s overall appeal and quality of life. Environmental protection must also remain central, preserving Jamaica’s natural beauty as a core attraction for generations to come. The Road Ahead Jamaica’s tourism industry is built on resilience, strengthened by experience and a commitment to including all Jamaicans, big and small. Moving forward, a unified strategy of investment, collaboration, and sustainable development will cement Jamaica’s position as a top regional destination, offering visitors an authentic Jamaican experience. By prioritising visitor satisfaction while fostering inclusivity and innovation, we can ensure that tourism not only supports our economy but also enriches the lives of all Jamaicans for generations to come. A concept known as Stakeholder Capitalism emphasises equitable protection for all within the tourism ecosystem: visitors who sustain the industry, employees who are its heart, businesses that drive it, local services and suppliers that enhance it, the environment that supports it, and the people and government who nurture it. By embracing this philosophy, we can achieve a tourism industry that uplifts every Jamaican while safeguarding our natural and cultural heritage. John Byles, Deputy Chairman Chukka Caribbean Adventures, as well as the Jamaica Tourist Board, is a respected leader in Jamaica’s tourism industry, instrumental in post-pandemic recovery and sustainable growth. His collaborative efforts across public, private, and international stakeholders have reinforced Jamaica’s standing as a premier Caribbean destination.