Durrant Pate/Contributor

The Opposition Spokesperson on investment and global logistics, Anthony Hylton is pushing for Jamaica to be engaging in greater trade with Africa.

During his contribution to the 2024/2025 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (May 7), Hylton called for an examination of Jamaica’s alternative trade agreements.

He advised the house that while the People’s National Party (PNP) remains in support of the rules-based multilateral trading system, it is acutely aware that reform of the World Trade Organization (WTO) is necessary to achieve a more equitable, sustainable and inclusive trading ecosystem.

As such, Hylton argued that the government ought to be focussing on enhancing its bilateral and plurilateral trade arrangements within CARICOM/CARIFORUM.

According to him, “We are of the clear view that building new logistics and supply chain networks with Africa is a precondition for expanding sustainable trade between continental Africa, the Caribbean and the Americas. Further, we believe that strengthening trade in raw materials, intermediate and finished goods, as well as services trade with the African continent is in the medium- and long-term interests of Jamaica, the Caribbean and global Africa.” 

New Jamaica and Caribbean linkages connecting Africa 

”Time come, Madam Speaker, for Jamaica and the Caribbean to build new linkages connecting Africa, its people and products for improving lives! Additionally, Madam Speaker, the next PNP government will seek to update existing trade agreements, as well as to enter into new bilateral agreements in areas such as supply chain coordination, worker protection, the environment, and the digital economy,” he argued further.

Hylton acknowledged that the PNP recognises the significant benefits to businesses, creative practitioners and the economy, which the integration of digital technologies with the cultural and creative industries provides.

He posited that the benefits to the sector and to creatives will flow from the digitalization of content, thus making cultural and creative products more tradeable across borders.

It is against this background, that Hylton advocated that a future PNP in government will move to review and strengthen Jamaica’s own industrial policy framework.

This will include a review of a growth inducement strategy for Jamaica in the short and medium term. 

Hylton said the PNP is of the belief that many of the recommendations for implementation in that strategy document remain relevant and should be evaluated in the light of technological advances and the passage of time. 

”After all, no serious attention was paid by this administration to this highly consulted document with the private sector, opposition, trade unions and other key stakeholders. Simultaneous with the review of the growth inducement strategy Madam Speaker, we will be fast-tracking the implementation of the Global Logistics Hub Initiative through Public/Private Partnerships,” Hylton articulated.

He cited Jamaica, Logistics Hub Initiative Market Analysis and Master Plan, a study by the World Bank, which provides the blueprint for action.

This initiative, he reminded the lower House of Parliament was first announced by the last PNP administration in 2013 stating that the comprehensive master plan was provided to the Holness administration at the beginning of its first term in office.