President of Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO), Diane Edwards, says stability of the macro economy has continued to result in an increase of business confidence within the country.

She says this confidence is manifested in the recent opening of one more Popeyes franchise in Cross Roads, Kingston; the opening of another Island Grill restaurant in Mandeville, and the return of production of Red Stripe beer for the North American market.

Edwards says “the price of energy is coming down and is going to be bolstered by the introduction of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to the market. (This) means that Jamaica is becoming a more attractive proposition to business in general and to manufacturing businesses, in particular,” she said.

She says the Red Stripe investment “is hugely welcomed, because it brings back to Jamaica’s shores a beer that has become a global brand”. Edwards says the spinoff of the just about 300 jobs to be created with this investment, will impact other sectors, such as agriculture, with cassava being used in the brewing process.

Edwards says these investments augur well for society, as persons will be exposed to good workplace habits and to business models geared towards productivity.

“Productivity is one of the huge issues we face in the workplace and in the talent pool in general. The more people are exposed to international models of productivity and international standards of productivity, the more we will be able to upgrade our workforce and upgrade the jobs that are on offer,” she emphasised.

Source: JIS News