Tell us, Dr Phillips

Dear Editor,

Here are some questions for Finance Minister Dr Peter Phillips.

1. Should countries like Jamaica build their development strategies around growth or should they focus on jobs?

2. Can entrepreneurship be fostered, especially among the many microenterprises in developing countries like Jamaica, or are entrepreneurs born?

3. While jobs can contribute to social cohesion in Jamaica, is there anything governments can do about it, apart from trying to support job creation?

4. Are greater investments in Jamaica in education and training prerequisites for employability, or can skills be built through jobs?

5. Should efforts to improve the investment climate in Jamaica target the areas, activities, or firms with greater potential for job creation?

6. What is the risk that policies to foster job creation in one country will come at the expense of jobs in other countries?

7. When confronted with large shocks and major restructuring, is it advisable to protect jobs and not just people?

8. How can the reallocation of workers be accelerated from areas and activities with low productivity in Jamaica to those with greater potential?

Somethings to think about Dr Peter Phillips?

Dr Charles Demontaque

Stafford University

c/o 101 Weybrige Road

Addlestone Road, Surrey

United Kingdom

KT152QS

charlesdemontaque@yahoo.co.uk

Tell us, Dr Phillips

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