Dear Editor,
Beneath the veneer of public spats and what looks like bitter rivalry many companies co-operate with each other. For decades in the sugar industry, when one factory is in serious trouble we borrow and lend critical machinery in order to ensure that the other doesn't fold or manufacturing is delayed. There is constant help as the goal is to manufacture as much sugar or rum as is possible.
The same thing takes place along the industrial strip on Spanish Town Road between Three Miles and Six Miles. Years ago we needed a critical piece of equipment to manufacture cooking oil and we were able to obtain it from Desnoes and Geddes, next door. While it is true that we weren't competing within the same market, this type of co-operation is common. Don't let the telecommunications industry fool you, they have to sometimes co-operate too.
Hotels, even though they sometimes go after the same market share, they too co-operate, which makes it seem so strange that a death took place on Negril's world-famous white sand beach.
On many occasions I have seen hotels and service clubs donating brand-new pickups to the police, hospitals and needy institutions. It made sense; no one could tell when a visitor or worker at one of these properties would collapse and need emergency treatment. Instead of waiting on the Government, the private sector equipped the hospital. Hotels are often given large tax breaks but they also pay high taxes and provide crucial employment. They remain one of the pillars on which our frail economy stands.
It might seem unfair to ask hoteliers in Negril to pool resources and ensure that they have at least one ambulance parked on one of the properties to share among themselves. But it cannot be that difficult.
If they continue to await government assistance they may be waiting in vain. When we invite foreigners to come and vacation in Jamaica we owe it to them to at least provide minimal service for their health and safety.
The Government is strapped for resources and we are sometimes angry at the way they spend our tax dollars, but let us do what we know needs to be done — co-operate.
Mark Clarke
Siloah, St Elizabeth
mark_clarke9@yahoo.com
Companies must co-operate to make the dream work
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Beneath the veneer of public spats and what looks like bitter rivalry many companies co-operate with each other. For decades in the sugar industry, when one factory is in serious trouble we borrow and lend critical machinery in order to ensure that the other doesn't fold or manufacturing is delayed. There is constant help as the goal is to manufacture as much sugar or rum as is possible.
The same thing takes place along the industrial strip on Spanish Town Road between Three Miles and Six Miles. Years ago we needed a critical piece of equipment to manufacture cooking oil and we were able to obtain it from Desnoes and Geddes, next door. While it is true that we weren't competing within the same market, this type of co-operation is common. Don't let the telecommunications industry fool you, they have to sometimes co-operate too.
Hotels, even though they sometimes go after the same market share, they too co-operate, which makes it seem so strange that a death took place on Negril's world-famous white sand beach.
On many occasions I have seen hotels and service clubs donating brand-new pickups to the police, hospitals and needy institutions. It made sense; no one could tell when a visitor or worker at one of these properties would collapse and need emergency treatment. Instead of waiting on the Government, the private sector equipped the hospital. Hotels are often given large tax breaks but they also pay high taxes and provide crucial employment. They remain one of the pillars on which our frail economy stands.
It might seem unfair to ask hoteliers in Negril to pool resources and ensure that they have at least one ambulance parked on one of the properties to share among themselves. But it cannot be that difficult.
If they continue to await government assistance they may be waiting in vain. When we invite foreigners to come and vacation in Jamaica we owe it to them to at least provide minimal service for their health and safety.
The Government is strapped for resources and we are sometimes angry at the way they spend our tax dollars, but let us do what we know needs to be done — co-operate.
Mark Clarke
Siloah, St Elizabeth
mark_clarke9@yahoo.com
Companies must co-operate to make the dream work
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