ladies and gentlemen may I ask everyone who is standing if there is an assigned seat if you would take your seats please he arrives inside of the ceremonial area then we will begin good evening and welcome to the opening ceremony of Expo Jamaica 2025 this is the place where Jamaican excellence in manufacturing export and business innovation takes center stage to begin our proceedings with pride as always please remain standing for the singing of the national anthem of Jamaica performed by the incredibly talented Maria eternal Father bless our love guard us with thy mighty hell keep us free from evil power be all life through countless heart to our leaders they defend our grant true wisdom from justice truth be ours forever jamaica land we love Jamaica jamaica Jamaica land we love teach us true respect from stir response to due strength the weak to cherish give us vision lest we perish knowledge send us heavenly father grant true wisdom from above justice truth be yours forever jama we love Jama jamaica jama you may be seated thank you so very much Maria for that beautiful rendition and I don't know about you but when I am singing that's how it sounds in in my ear i I think I sound like Maria but thank you so very much uh let me introduce myself i am Stacyanne Smith your host for this evening's program really privileged to be sharing this space this afternoon this evening for this celebration of Jamaican excellence and with a voice like that it is really good to have Maria demonstrating that excellence to begin with we are beyond thrilled to have you here this evening and can I ask you to give yourselves a round of applause for your patience thank you so very much for being here with us and for sticking and staying for this kickoff of what is going to be an incredible journey over the next few days this is after all the largest trade show in the English-speaking Caribbean and we are delighted to have with us this evening some very distinguished guests who I have to acknowledge of course the prime minister of Jamaica Dr the most honorable Andrew Holes good evening to you sir senator the Honorable Orin Hill Minister of Industry Investment and Commerce let me also acknowledge the presence of ambassadors and members of the diplomatic corps president of the JMEA Mr sydney Thuaitz yes you you can clap them please go ahead executive director of the JMEA Miss Kamisha Blake and of course the president of JPRO Shallet Cox an extra special Chalet brought her her chairing committee with her i love that i love the energy and an extra special welcome to our sponsors exhibitors manufacturers exporters applaud applaud service providers everyone in this room who helped to make this event possible and of course members of the media expo Jamaica 2025 is the biggest trade show in the English-speaking Caribbean propelling local industries globally driving economic growth investment and trade while connecting businesses to key markets this year's theme global partnership local impact advancing Jamaica's reach is more than just words it's our mission by collaborating internationally we're opening new markets attracting investment and creating opportunities while ensuring that growth strengthens our local industries our workforce and communities now if that is not worth celebrating I don't know what is another round of applause for this amazing platform that is Expo Jamaica and this year Expo Jamaica is bringing together over 240 exhibitors all proudly showcasing the very best of Brand Jamaica and I want you to give a round of applause to the Expo Jamaica Planning Committee they have worked tirelessly over the last several months ladies and gentlemen many of you in this room knows what it takes to put on an event even a small one involves a lot of moving parts and stress and problems right Mr morgan sleepless nights sometime not true oh he says "No no I don't do that sleepless nights." Cuz he has a wonderful team that keeps it all together and and really really doing very very well well let me now invite to share greetings this Expo Jamaica wouldn't be possible without two powerhouse organizations the JMEA and Jampro working tirelessly to bring this event to life and at this time we will hear from our key leaders first of all please welcome Mr awood Morgan chairman of Expo Jamaica and he will be followed by Ms shoulette Cox president of JPro a round of applause for Mr morgan thank you good afternoon ladies and gentlemen to the MC trying to set me up about sleepless nights i don't know if she knows what business I am in she won't get me to say yes when I woke up this morning to the bright lights I wasn't very happy when I saw the lights come on this evening it was a different story thank you Madame MC good evening ladies and gentlemen i'm Asad Morgan chairman of the Expo Jamaica 2025 Planning Committee honorable Prime Minister of Jamaica Dr andrew Holdnesses welcome minister Orbin Hill Minister of Industry Investment and Commerce all other protocols observed it is my distinct pleasure to welcome you to the official opening ceremony of Expo Jamaica 2025 the largest and most dynamic trade show in the English-speaking Caribbean tonight we gather at the threshold of a new era of growth and innovation marking a significant milestone in our journey to elevate Jamaica's manufacturing and export sectors since our relaunch in 2004 Expo Jamaica has grown exponentially reflecting the vision and resilience of our nation today we stand proud with over 240 boot spaces more than 800 buyers from all around the world registered for this show and an expected attendance of over 20,000 people um at this event this year thank you this is not just a trade show it's a testament to Jamaica's potential and a beacon for global partnerships our theme global partnerships local impact advancing Jamaica's reach encapsulates our mission to foster meaningful connections that drive export-led growth i extend my gratitude to JPRO for their tireless efforts in securing a record number of buyers to the board of directors of Jamaica of the Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association and their very strong sense of responsibility and purpose and to our esteemed sponsors for their continued support as an extra special there's such a word Jamaicanly expo welcome to our many local and international buyers that are here visiting with us please give them a round of applause they could be somewhere else today we trust that you'll find our exhibits our products on show our service and hosting to be world class our security team will not allow you to leave without proof that you've placed orders with us today so you may have to remove those bias badges you're always the first on our agenda in every meeting every single solitary meeting because you're that important to us to our exhibitors policy makers and sponsors again I invite you to join us in shaping this vision together we can create a brighter future for Jamaica one that is built on principles of resilience innovation and global connectivity special thanks to the hardest working team in show business the Expo Jamaica Organizing Committee you've done us proud again guys the 13 or 14 months of planning we just did only started today i sorry for you we have four more days to go ladies and gent gentlemen welcome once again to Expo Jamaica 2025 thank you hello good evening everybody good evening thank you jumper squad let me recognize Dr the most honorable Andrew Holes Prime Minister of Jamaica Senator the Honorable Aubin Hill Minister of Industry Investment and Commerce Ambassadors and Members of the Diplomatic Corps Mr dana Severight Minister of States in the Ministry of Tourism Mr anthony Hilton opposition spokesperson on industry investment and global logistics Sydney Tweets president of the JMEA Kamisha Blake executive director of the JMEA and Azard Morgan chair of Expo Jamaica Organizing Committee specially invited guests including heads of government agencies and private sector organizations and companies members of the media ladies and gentlemen i also want a very special shout out and recognition to the hardworking teams of the JMEA and JPRO for day one of Expo Jamaica 2025 when it comes to Export Jamaica as the export promotion agency of this government JARO had one job get buyers in 2023 we set ourselves a target of 500 and we brought in 700 plus buyers it's a mark of a truly remarkable organization when I didn't even have to tell my team that the target had now moved and so for 2025 the team set a target for themselves of 700 buyers i stand here proud today to say that as at 5:00 today we have registered 884 buyers of that amount we have 355 international buyers from 25 countries and when I heard my team mentioned countries such as Oman Macedonia Peru I know that we had gotten the job done importantly we also of that number had 214 buyers that have never come to export Expo Jamaica before and 92 of that number are international they took a plane they fought to get rooms in Kingston and they're here and so with all that said to the exhibitors here I will say that this showing presents a tremendous opportunity for you to create new relationships and cement or expand others i want you to see the showing here and the efforts of both JMEA and JPRO as an agency of the government of Jamaica through the Ministry of Industry Investment and Commerce as an investment in your business it's not an investment that looks like the one that DBJ can give you but it is an investment nevertheless and so starting today and into tomorrow we encourage you to engage to connect and ultimately to export and grow and from there as you grow invest more right back into your companies and in Jamaica and throughout it all know without a doubt that JRO is here to support you throughout your journey to our buyers i am sure that my minister and the prime minister will explain to you why now more than ever Jamaica is the right place to bring your business yesterday we had a buyer's welcome reception and we had a couple of takeaways that it's worth all the buyers hearing i heard Coran Sylvester from the shipping association give a commitment that over the next two days you make the order and the shipping association and its memberships will ensure that you get your goods into market we heard our manufacturers talk about the fact that there is no challenge that they and their buyer through deepened relationships cannot overcome and you saw the resilience of Jamaicans in our prime today that was just an example a little showing that we don't give up very easily and finally we spoke last night about the commitments of the government of Jamaica to making sure that exporters in Jamaica have the platforms have the support systems to get their goods and services into your hands wherever you are and for me that is a combination that is ripe for success your success and so that said I want to welcome you to this huge opportunity for both our exhibitors and our buyers and I invite you to take advantage of that opportunity over the next few days and ultimately wherever you find a little time make sure that you get to see a little bit of Jamaica while you're here thank you 880 a new record of the number of buyers isn't that absolutely amazing and such great news yes it deserves another round of applause i mean as Miss Cox talked about hotel rooms and the spin-off of this kind of activity is just amazing as we talk about hotels let me just acknowledge properly the presence of Senator Delano Severite State Minister in the Ministry of Tourism and also the presence of the opposition spokesman on industry Mr anthony Hilton i was going to say um KC but um that KC is for the institution at North Street indeed indeed next we're going to hear from another true champion of Jamaican industry investment and economic development someone who is passionate about expanding Jamaica's reach on the global stage please help me welcome Senator the Honorable Orin Hill Minister of Industry Investment and Commerce Dr the most honorable Andrew Hoes Prime Minister of Jamaica and the Prime Minister who leads arguably the best cabinet this country has ever had absolutely true absolutely true and I think I can judge that high Commissioners ambassadors and members of the diplomatic corps Mr anthony Hilton leader of the opposition business in the House of Parliament and the shadow minister of industry investment and global logistics sometimes is he comes out of the shadow and talks to me through the press when we talk back good to see you Tony is worship the mayor councelor Andrew SBI chairman of the Kingston St andrew Municipal Council and mayor of Kingston Mr sydney Thuaitz who is the president of Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association should be very proud this evening of this wonderful expo that you and your team all your deputy president and vice presidents have done miss Kamisha Blake who I know haven't been sleeping now as didn't tell you why he can't admit that he has sleepless nights he's the biggest one of the biggest man manufacturers of mattresses and beds in the country he could never say I don't sleep so couldn't admit it but Kamisha can kamisha has had to admit that she has had sleeplessness nights in getting something of this size and magnitude done every two years to be at the quality and caliber that it is today give us the team a round of applause heads of agencies starting off with Shallet Cox shoulette whose team works so closely with Aswood to make this a reality shoulette is one of 20 she heads one of 20 agencies in my ministry consumer Affairs the Jamaica Intellectual Property Office Company's Office of Jamaica Trade Board all of them they're here to make sure business is done better and more easily in Jamaica so to Shallet and to the JRO team that have worked to put this together and all my 20 agencies a round of applause please for the Ministry of Industry Investment and Commerce this year we didn't sponsor but our min our agencies are in that when we came out of of um COVID in 2023 we stepped up and to get the prime minister's permission because ministries are not supposed to sponsor these things we stepped up because pandemic only happens once every 100 years and sponsored it and then we exceeded the target and this year you heard what Shallet said esteemed members of organizing committees of the JMEA local and international buyers local and international buyers i met some last night i met another group today we are just very very pleased as Jamaicans to host you in our country for this wonderful event we're very happy to have you here friends of Jamaica media practitioners distinguished very distinguished ladies and gentlemen the MC said 880 chillette said 884 my speech writer got the figures at at 5:00 so I'm saying 884 buyers from 25 countries North America Europe Latin America i know Shillette picked out Oman because I lived there for 11 years asia and the Caribbean are here today at the JA Jamaica Expo 2025 isn't that simply amazing 884 buyers in Jamaica to buy Jamaican goods and services this is a record for uh a Jamaica Expo and we're very happy to have that record they came to buy authentic Jamaicanmade products and to explore opportunities for new networking uh and strategic partnerships and investments they came because they heard and know that Jamaica has what Jamaica has to offer and we welcome all our friends to Jamaica i'm pleased to be here today as a Minister of Industry Investment and Commerce Jamaica's Business Ministry but also as someone who stands shouldertosh shoulder with every Jamaican entrepreneur every Jamaican manufacturer every Jamaican business owner and every hardworking Jamaican employee who is ready to take their products and service overseas to make Jamaica a richer country i'm here with you this expo is Jamaica's open invitation to the world we're positioning ourselves as an investment destination for financial services logistics skilled labor high value services and premium products the Andrew Holiness administration has made it our mission to make Jamaica a very attractive place in this region in which to do business our macroeconomic numbers tell a clear story the prime minister will tell you more of it but I'll just mention this Andrew Holless administration of which I'm a proud member has presented no new taxes for 10 consecutive budgets 10 consecutive budgets i challenge any one of you I don't care where you come from any one of you I challenge you to find a non oil producing emerging market country that has been through a pandemic that has come once in a hundred years been through exogenous shocks like hurricane one after the other last year and you can find them any one of those countries with no oil to produce that can produce 10 consecutive no new taxes budget you show me them i want to clap not because I did it but because we did it we Jamaicans did it under the leadership of Dr the most honorable Andrew Holes yes we took our our debt to GDP from 147 10 12 years ago down to 68.7 and going down to 66 all through that time when we didn't raise any taxes we didn't go in to borrow additional money and couldn't and and and couldn't pay it back we in fact because we cut taxes three or four times the government revenues rose and we were able to contain spend a hundred billion Jamaican dollars we didn't sp plan to spend in the pandemic comes through all that no new taxes spent $275 million to put that parameter road around Montego Bay for more money no new taxes and our debt to GDP keeps going down because we're paying off that debt this is an outstanding achievement and the country in the Caribbean where everybody must come i just came from Chile we talked to some of the biggest investors in Chile they are looking to come to Jamaica in May today I spoke to another set of investors from the Caribbean one of the biggest conglomerate in the Caribbean they say we wish our country could be managed like Jamaica and right across the world Jamaica stands out no longer as a basket case as we were 10 years or 12 years ago but today as the poster child as to how you run an economy and take it from abject poverty and debt to a place where our debt to GDP is at the level it is and our net international reserve is as strong as it is we believe that we have to make sure we find new markets the world has changed even yesterday changed some more but you know in the past 18 months or so I've taken business people tony my friend business people to 10 different countries 14 different cities only three were traditional united States Canada and the UK we took the last trip I made with business people and they paid their fears i took 73 to Guyana in one time another 61 another time and they paid their fears only five or six government people so when you got the numbers for the expenses so Harlo was Tony you couldn't even say anything not true so so so so so now that we're in a place where trading and tariffs are different we have been preparing the road for own our own people now our business people know where to go and we're going to take make sure they go to new markets because the world is changing and Jamaica is ready we're very happy to see that this Andrew Holes administration is making and doing business in Jamaica easier and more efficient and more effective than ever before through digital Jamaica we're embedding technology into the DNA of our economy every single day the prime minister gets up and say we have to digitize we have to make sure we do that digital transformation and now he's brought back our ambassador from Washington that very good businesswoman who made a business and s sold it for a big thing and go to Washington did an outstanding job to represent Jamaica in the United States ambassador Audrey Marx is back to make sure she handles that digitization and fixing Jamaican Jamaica's economy to be a lot more efficient than it has ever been your business success will drive Jamaica's success we believe in that and that's why we work so hard with you the buyers are here the demand is real they like the business people I take with me overseas they paid their own tickets and hotel fairs they're here we Jamaicans we Jamaicans must rise to the occasion don't worry ever take them for granted just like we don't take our tourists for granted thank you Danon Minister Bartlett for the tremendous work that you guys do to keep our economy afloat we don't take our tourists for granted we won't take our buyers for granted we are happy that they're here and we're going to make sure they have a great time and they we won't lock them up as what but they must buy we must manufacture more and manufacture better if we want Jamaica to be a rich country where everyone succeeds we must boost our productivity do more with what you have that's the basic nonformal economic definition of increased productivity where everyone succeeds we must hope we must boost our productivity increase our profits and bigger profits companies can't survive and expand and employ more people and pay them better unless they make profits so this minister out of the government of Andrew Holes administration is big on profits grow our service sector we must grow our service se sector and export more today we're focusing on export of products and some services in time our services sector will grow a lot more new legal ecosystem around Jamaica's international in financial services authority ricky Ricky Davis is here who heads that we're doing segregated accounts and partnerships general and limited partnerships so the financial services can come here i tell you something forbes just published the 10 richest countries by by GDP per capita top of the line is Luxembourg luxembourg doesn't have the land mass of China Russia or the United States and certainly not the population of China small country in Europe we're focusing luxembourg was number one with $154,000 US per capita that means everybody in Luxembourg is worth $154,000 number two was Singapore number three if it was an independent country would be Bermuda they are $125,000 US per capita GDP british Virgin Islands Turks and Caos you know what luxembourg Bermuda Turks and Caos BVI have they sell services expensive financial services which is why working with the cabinet and the prime minister and parliament we have moved the Jamaica International Financial Services Authority get them the legal ecosystem we have one piece of legislation left Ricky we're almost there to make sure it is where all those people most of those people who work in Bermuda and Turks and Caos and BVI many of them are Jamaicans we want them back home build our service sector expensive service sector so that Bruce Boy who is now Jamaican Canadian there's the other way around canadian Jamaican yes Canadian first is now can see can tell his friends in Canada come to Jamaica and do your financial services here that's where we're looking to grow i invite all entrepreneurs business people buyers resellers industrial leaders to join in this noble effort to cement our political independence with robust and sustained economic independence our friends from overseas have and will continue to help us but it is we Jamaicans who must secure our own economic independence that is my idea of sustained development distinguished ladies and gentlemen welcome to Expo Jamaica 2025 in Jamaica and we're happy to have you help us build that robust economic independence that will cement our political independence and thank you the Jamaica Manufacturers Exporters Association has been a noticeable supporter of Jamaican businesses since 1971 for over five decades Expo Jamaica has stood as a cornerstone in the growth and development of Jamaica's export sector consistently creating opportunities for businesses to connect showcase their innovations and expand into global markets as the largest trade and exhibition show in the Caribbean the banial event brings together hundreds of Jamaican businesses expo Jamaica is a perfect example of what happens when vision and purpose meet strategic partnerships expo Jamaica is more than an exhibition it is a platform for connection collaboration and transformation it is where ideas take shape where partnerships are forged and where brand Jamaica shines on the world stage expo Jamaica isn't just about business it's about celebrating who we are as Jamaicans and what we're capable of achieving when we work together this prestigious event is a testament to the strength innovation and resilience of Jamaica's business community expert Jamaica provides a unique space where aspiring entrepreneurs can connect with industry leaders fostering collaboration that strengthens the business community expo Jamaica is an important event that brings together the best of Jamaican innovation entrepreneurship and industry the ultimate stage for showcasing the very best of Jamaicanmade goods and service expo 2025 is a reminder that every innovation every export and every collaboration has the power to shape a better future for our people let us come together to make the JA Expo FET 25 an unforgettable celebration of collaboration innovation and excellence that sets new standards for years to come we wish you rewarding and successful Expo Jamaica 2025 a round of applause for our amazing sponsors we also want to recognize some other sponsors who also greatly helped to make Expo Jamaica 2025 a reality jamaica Customs Agency Mayberry Hart NSTA Trust that's right the dress chicken the Tourism Enhancement Fund Fossich Total Tools Rental and Electrical Supplies Limited Rainforest The Trade Board Limited JP Logistics Services Jamaica Special Economic Zone Authority Visa Crescent Digital National Baking Company Mother's Enterprises Jay and Nephew Red Stripe Nutsford Express and Hieroglyphic Ladies and gentlemen a round of applause for all our sponsors it is the time of evening when we invite Dr the most honorable Andrew Holes Prime Minister of Jamaica to come forward as our keynote speaker under his leadership Jamaica has made remarkable strides in economic resilience investment and global trade expansion ladies and gentlemen Dr the most honorable Andrew Holes NPC MP Prime Minister of Jamaica senator Hill let me thank you for the maintenance of the protocol order i am aware that you have been waiting for some time and therefore distinguished guests members of the diplomatic corps industry leaders honored exhibitors and buyers ladies and gentlemen good evening i didn't hear you good evening still didn't hear you but it gives me great pleasure and pride to open Expo 2025 this event has grown tremendously now standing as the largest trade exhibition in the English-speaking Caribbean an extraordinary testament to our nation's entrepreneurial spirit ingenuity and ambition expo Jamaica exemplifies how far Jamaica has come over 250 exhibitors showcasing more than 5,000 products and services alongside 884 did I get it right because my speech was written at about 2 o'clock today 884 registered local and international buyers from 25 countries and this clearly reflects Jamaica's growing global influence and appeal the theme global partnerships local impact advancing Jamaica's reach resonates deeply with my government's vision for inclusive and resilient growth our journey towards economic stability has been profound jamaica today boasts its strongest economy since independence today I had a courtesy call from a group a church group the demographics was representative of Jamaica and we had a general discussion about how the Jamaican economy has progressed through the 60s,7s 80s 90s and someone a 46 year old gentleman pointed out to me he said "Prime Minister you know I did not know the economic history of Jamaica and therefore it is very difficult for me to compare how well the economy is doing relative to its past for me I expect this that was essentially his perspective but to his literal elder in the church he could point out and agree without hesitating applause or fear of any contradiction that this is the best economy Jamaica has had since its independence and it is important that we tell the story of Jamaica's economic success over and over and over again because there are generations of Jamaicans who don't know it and who could take it for granted and therefore all the ministers have been directed that they must speak to achievements as I survey the audience there are many who probably don't appreciate the achievement dismiss it there are those who say the achievements don't reconcile with my own lived experience but the lived experience doesn't change immediately you have to reconcile that with the lived experience of those who went before you and so whenever any minister of the government speaks they must place the achievements in context because we live in a world where you are provided literally bombarded with information without context you will notice that Minister Hill was at pains to say the Andrew Holes led administration and it is for a reason i will explain that more or none as I return to my script but whether you measure Jamaica's economic performance and stability by the unemployment rate the inflation rate the debt to GDP ratio our net international reserves by every critical metric our economy undeniably demonstrates economic stability and resilience i want you to cement those two words in your consciousness stability and resilience there is a third word that we need to cement in our consciousness as we gather here to celebrate manufacturing and production in Jamaica and that third word is growth growth our mission is clear and I suspect it would also be the mission of my very good friend Tony my political neighbor in terms of constituency it is a national mission we must shift gears towards sustained growth for Jamaica to realize its fullest potential our growth rate must accelerate from 1 to 2% towards a more ambitious target of 4 to 5% central to achieving this are initiatives which this government has launched and we call them Aspire that is our comprehensive growth strategy access and inclusivity form the bedrock of Aspire economic growth for it to be meaningful must include every Jamaican so I want to assure those who are in the audience and those who may be listening that whatever this government does as it relates to achieving growth it will not be growth for some or a trickle down of the benefits of growth this government will be instrumental deliberate in ensuring that the economy grows that sectors and industries grow but more importantly that your household of which you are the finance minister the education minister the transportation minister your household that your household also grows that is a commitment that the government gives as we pursue growth inclusivity and equity so a sign of inclusive growth of an economy that is on this track of inclusivity is that the economy generates employment and we can all be proud as Jamaicans that we have an economy where the unemployment rate is at 3.5% the lowest in the history of Jamaica the lowest now Tony I know the is going to be well most of it is lowpaying jobs one is infinitely greater than zero and before you get to the top you must put your foot on the first rung and then rungs after that i don't want anyone to tell me about lowpaying job when under their stewardship unemployment was double digit and we were not having our feet firmly placed on the rung of employment yes we acknowledge the pay is not what we would want but you're not going to wish highpaying jobs won't materialize by a wish it comes by efforts like these and the conversation that I have to keep having with the Jamaican people is that we have to be practical about our development we have to be realistic and the old notions many of which are false and proven to be so cannot help us so yes all of us want better pay and better salaries but nobody wants to discuss productivity there's just this disconnection between better pay and better salary and better jobs and the notion of producing more let me be clear better pay and better salary without productivity equals inflation so for the demographic that is below 40 30s and 20s who have grown accustomed to stability mild movement in prices stable dollar stable interest rate who may take for granted stability i wish to remind you that you cannot get to growth without stability now a robust economy requires safety and security indeed you can't grow your economy if there is insecurity and that has been a challenge for Jamaica for the last four decades if not more but certainly within the last three decades crime and violence insecurity has been a challenge to our economy we could be growing at 5% or more were it not for the impact of the security issues that we face we have achieved today a remarkable reduction in crime as indexed by the murder rate we are 35% fewer murders today than today last year and there are those who will say I still don't feel safe and that might be the case there is always a lag when it comes to these matters of security the lapop surveys are always a paradox when you ask people have you ever been a victim of crime have you seen crime in your community the percentage is usually a very high no but then when you ask uh what's your greatest concern crime and that's because fear imagined is as real as fear experienced and so if every day you are fed a diet of fear whether or not you experience it or imagine it it is going to have that impact on your outlook and your perception and so as the administration we cannot give in to the proclivity and tendency to accentuate the negatives only the administration must at nausea to boring you at times present the facts and the reality because I read quite curiously in today's paper an article which said uh politicians should take no credit for the reduction in murders yet the Andrew Holes led administration was unmercifully battered the poor Minister of National Security when the numbers were going in the wrong direction we must be careful of this urge that we have inside us to make government look ineffectual it is of no benefit to anyone to have ineffective government it is a government that you elect that has administered your affairs so that we can have revenues to make the largest allocations in the national security budget develop the policies select the leaders and give guidance to the police and the military to have the impact that we are having now it didn't happen without the instrumental deliberate and direct policy of the government i know I'm saying things that are jarring even confronting but I must because the risk of leaving it to your own devices could be dangerous yes so the Andrew Holess le administration is presiding over a 35% reduction year on year we presided over a 19% reduction last year and a 7% reduction the year before and we intend to drive this down to below the regional average of 16 per 100,000 based on the murder rate now can you imagine a Jamaica where that is now our new reality my job is to see things as they are to be very practical but it doesn't stop me from being aspirational aspire i dream but only when I'm sleeping otherwise I'm visioning with my eyes open and my vision for Jamaica is that you will be able to sleep with your windows and doors open and I don't take it back it's aspirational and we must have ambition to make Jamaica a peaceful country which is our destiny and our future we are significantly strengthening our infrastructure historic investments in roads highways water systems wastewater management all of these are already having an impact on productivity minister Hill may have mentioned a few there are some that you may not know of listen to this one in the year I was born the prime minister that I was named in honor of Michael Manley so my name is should have been Michael Andrew but and they do sometimes make that error when they are uh introducing me but my mother insisted on Andrew so I'm Andrew Michael then Prime Minister Michael Manley recognized the importance of the Pedro Plains in St elizabeth an important farming area but one that lacks sustainable accessible and reliable irrigation so almost 50 years ago a commitment was made to irrigate the pedroplanes why didn't it happen many diances excursions missteps did not give us the economy to be able to deliver on many of these so for my 40 year olds and younger another context that you should appreciate well our ambitious $30 billion Pedroplanes irrigation scheme is underway and will provide critical water resources for over $5,000 farmers ensuring agricultural stability and food security reducing price volatility and over supply cycles caused by drought and storm recovery patterns this is an investment in infrastructure that is going to have a profound impact on our agra business and agroprocessing sector in Jamaica that's how we get to growth but between now and this three or four years that it will take to actually dig the wells make the pipe connections survey lands and all the other things that go into it there is a gap but I want you to know that the investment has begun the fulfillment of a promise that could not have been fulfilled a mere wish 50 years ago we are now able to bring it to fruition do not take for granted economic stability and good economic management recognizing our rich agricultural potential we have invested 6.3 billion dollars into renovating research stations including bodals to support innovative farming techniques and collaboration with global agricultural leaders such as India further initiatives like the Essex Valley Agricultural Development Project which is already underway and the Southern Plains Agricultural Development Project already underway have already benefited thousands of farmers significantly boosting our agricultural productivity to further unlock productivity our government recognizes that reducing bureaucracy is no longer optional it is imperative and everyone in here I'm certain my under 40s and my over 40s will agree that Jamaica is moving from a democracy to a bureaucracy this is a reality we are moving from a democracy where people who are elected make decisions to a bureaucracy where unelected people without exercise of discretion without being committed to growth make decisions for everyone jamaica is not the only country that is grappling with that other countries are so not to be confused with Doge that is why we have launched the streamlining process for efficiency and economic development speed and this initiative will be led by Senator Markx through speed we are systematically eliminating unnecessary regulations reducing administrative delays and simplifying processes across government services from motor vehicle registration to business licensing to development approvals we will look at every single business process in government and determine whether or not it makes sense and remove it i want you to appreciate this the national budget is always taken up by various line items to effect steps and systems and processes that are not necessarily delivering results and so there are those who will say "But why are you blaming technocrats and bureaucrats and so forth you are the government you set the rules." I accept that and that is why we're going to change the rules to make them make sense to make them serve the people to make them support growth so a part of the speed initiative is the integration of technology we must not fear technology we we must embrace technology the technological revolutions that have happened in the past 200 years would have left Jamaica behind we must not be left behind in the current technological revolution i say to my manufacturers and all the people involved in production embrace artificial intelligence it is the greatest multiplier of productivity that we are going to see in this century make sure that you are on the cutting edge of embracing artificial intelligence so we are accelerating the digitalization and transformation of Jamaica through our national broadband network we have already started by connecting several schools and courouses and local authorities and that continues now for those of you who are in business and about to make investments in new plants and construction we have under the accelerated capital allowance initiative don't know if you've been paying attention if you heard my presentation businesses investing in productive assets between now and December 2026 will benefit from unprecedented tax advantages significantly reducing cost and stimulating investments in buildings plant machinery and technology i urge you if you are thinking about doing your investment in five years time bring it forward and take advantage of the incentives that we have given we are also raising the annual turnover threshold for MSMES to register for GCT from 10 million to 15 million that should take a lot of pressure off a lot of businesses on Tuesday the Minister of Finance announced the extension of the tax amnesty i have never received so many calls as I did being petitioned because people saw the benefit of it it it it helps and so today I'm announcing the extension of the NHT employer amnesty program from April 1 to May 31st 2025 this extension provides employers in the micro small and medium enterprise business sector and charitable organizations with a valuable window to regularize their accounts and benefit from the waiver of penalties interests and arars interest no unares under the extension qualifying employers are offered a 100% waiver on interest uh and this will go up to a ras up to March 31st 2025 so ladies and gentlemen at the heart of Jamaica's long-term economic resilience lies economic diversification that is the E in our Aspire growth strategy by broadening our economic base we enhance resilience against global shocks and create new sustainable opportunities for employment and wealth creation expo Jamaica 2025 embodies this vision highlighting diverse sectors from manufacturing agriculture technology logistics finance and tourism jamaican manufacturers and exporters gathered here today are pivotal to this diversification journey platforms such as the Jamaica Emerging Manufacturers and Services Village provide critical exposure to micro and small enterprises in sectors like castor oil neutrauticals aroma therapy beauty products and bamboo goods reflecting precisely the diversified growth that we would want to see i am looking forward to visiting the tech village and uh other areas to see the offerings that are there but there is a matter which I'm sure many of you are eager to hear the government's response while we can celebrate the promise of our economic expansion and diversification we must also remain alert and responsive to evolving global trade dynamics that may affect our exporters and manufacturers the recent announcement by the United States government of a 10% baseline tariff on imports from all countries set to take effect on April 5th 2025 introduces a significant shift in global trade policy one that could impact Jamaica's market access to our largest trading partner jamaica like other caracob nations have traded with the US under the Caribbean based initiative the CBIS many of you would know about the CBI which provides nonrescrocal duty-free access for a wide range of products to the US market today nearly 90% of Jamaican exports to the United States enter under these preferential terms however the new US tariff regime rooted in a broader policy of reciprocal trade balancing has raised serious concerns about the future of these preferential arrangements while the government of Jamaica has not yet received formal notification on the precise implementation procedures including whether these new tariffs will override existing CBI provisions we are actively engaging with the United States Trade Representative and other relevant authorities to seek urgent clarification we are also conducting a detailed technical assessment in collaboration with relevant ministries and agencies to fully understand the scope of these tariffs and their implications for Jamaica's trade and industrial policy it is important to emphasize that these developments do not reflect any erosion in the longstanding and strong bilateral relationship between Jamaica and the United States rather it reflects a broader recalibration of US trade policy that is global in scope still we will use every available diplomatic channel including working with our CARACOM brothers and sisters and utilizing the Office of Trade Negotiations to seek to preserve the positions our exporters have secured over decades of deepening trade ties with the United states preliminary analysis indicates that some of our top exports may fall under exempted product categories and we are working to confirm and where possible to expand these exemptions again I must emphasize that clarity is still needed on several matters furthermore there may also be opportunities to be found and we must therefore be proactive and prospective so to our manufacturers and exporters we understand the uncertainty this announcement has created and we are with you every step of the way you are not only integral to our economic strategy you are national champions of our resilience and ingenuity the government will continue to advocate on your behalf and ensure that your interests are protected in any new global trade architecture i will wrap those statements in my own comments jamaica has pursued a very strategic foreign policy in the same way we have pursued very strategic economic policies if it is one thing that you can be certain of for a small open economy like Jamaica is that we will have shocks exogenous shocks things that happen outside of and beyond our control in the past we used to say it is other people's fault in the past we used to hope that good friendships will come to our rescue in the past there are those who believe the world owed us something that is not my stance and I have not run this government in that way we must be prepared for shocks and we must be resilient we must be able to absorb the hit and recover and we must put ourselves in a position to always be welcomed at the table to negotiate and where we have our truths and strong positions we must speak them clearly without fear to authority and powers and we do it without bombast hystericss and hyperbowl and we get the job done as we have for the last nine years at the helm of this country carrying Jamaica through the worst pandemic the worst global shocks as a result of the pandemic through a hurricane followed by a tropical storm all kinds of shocks and what used to take us 30 years and 17 years to recover we recover momentarily so for those who take this for granted and would wish to diminish it and believe that there is something else let me urge you to think carefully this is a new world an uncertain world but Jamaica stands on its two feet erect and proud we will secure our economic independence and I want every Jamaican to appreciate that so yes it is uncertain time but we have done the necessary work we have built the relationships we have placed ourselves in strategic positions to be heard and to be heard from and to be consulted when these changes are going to happen we know that they could have long-term impact we started planning long ago so when you don't hear me say and run out and make statement because you have a government that is thinking very carefully very strategically i play chess not draft so to our manufacturers before I say that maybe a decade ago the word disruptive would have been an inherently bad thing in today's world you require disruption of systems for there to be innovation and new opportunities so whilst we see the downside of the disruptive global order that we have now we are not going to sit by and wait there are opportunities that must be had there are prospects to be uncovered and so I urge my manufacturers my business people before you start to look at the negative also look for the opportunities don't just sit down and say you know complain about all the things that's going on and all the things that's going bad expecting that government is going to solve all the problems for you be the entrepreneur be the one who is the risktaker be the one who is looking for the opportunity so I say to my manufacturers my exporters yes there may be some dislocation government will work with you to mitigate but look for the opportunities so to our manufacturers and exporters gathered here tonight your effort represents the heart of our economic progress your resilience innovation and entrepreneurial courage have carried Brand Jamaica to every corner of the globe as Prime Minister I commit to ensuring our policies and initiatives remain aligned with your ambitions creating an enabling environment that fosters investment innovation and global competitiveness together we will strengthen our local economy and solidify Jamaica's position on the international stage expo Jamaica is a vivid showcase of Jamaica's boundless potential so as we advance global partnerships and create impactful local results let us reaffirm our collective determination to build a pro a prosperous productive Jamaica that leaves no one behind congratulations to everyone involved in this extraordinary event thank you for your continued belief in our shared Jamaican dream ladies and gentlemen it is my privilege and pleasure to officially declare Expo Jamaica 2025 open thank you strategic leadership ingenuity growth and resilience prime Minister Holes thank you so much for your inspiring words and stewardship as Jamaica continues on this growth path and really excelling on the global stage i have with me on stage the JMEA executive director Ms kamisha Blake the very hardworking Kamisha Blake on stage for a special presentation to the prime minister and I'll invite him to come back and accept I like how the PM picked that up really fast it's somewhere in Portland you know he knows his island home you know really beautiful all right I have a quick housekeeping announcement uh the final buyer shuttle bus that leaves the expo will do so at 8:50 this evening that's 10 minutes to 9 for those buyers who have been using that shuttle the final shuttle leaves at 8:50 and now ladies and gentlemen the moment we've all been waiting for the official opening of Expo Jamaica 2025 and to mark this occasion we invite you a select group of persons to make your way to the entrance for the ribbon cutting ceremony so those persons who are involved in the ceremony you already know yourselves and the photographers will also obviously capture that the prime minister Dr the most honorable