Like so many other Jamaicans who have had the opportunity to travel to other CARICOM states, I am in awe at the fact that we still import so many products from these territories when they treat Jamaicans and Jamaican products (goods and services) with such utter disdain. Surely the Government must know this! Yet there seems to be nothing that is done about it.

Claude Clarke wrote an excellent article in The Sunday Gleaner of June 7. I wish all Jamaicans would read it. The time is long overdue for the Government to take a serious look at this seeming inequality and adjust our position accordingly.

Either CARICOM countries buy more from us or we simply buy far less from them, proportionate to what they buy from us. There should never be a balance of trade deficit with CARICOM.

Support our own

The Government should immediately adjust its policies with regard to production, so that more local companies and individuals can set up manufacturing companies to satisfy the needs of our own people. Our policies toward our own local people should be of such, that more of us will want to go into this business of production. We have the capacity to do this and should begin immediately. Jamaicans should start buying local and support our own - others in CARICOM are doing this to their advantage. Why can't we?

I believe the time is ripe for us Jamaicans to start taking more interest in the development of our own country. We are a talented, educated set of people. We can accomplish anything we set our minds to. We are world class and world beaters. I believe in Jamaica. I believe in Jamaicans. I believe in our abilities. I believe we can rise to the occasion!

I am, etc.,

Nebert Pryce

nebertpryce@yahoo.com