Light at End of Tunnel Not Just another Train: “It’s the Ride to Prosperity, Get On board!” Joe Issa Urges

Observers tracking the positive developments taking place in the Jamaican economy since last year and into this year, concur with businessman Joe Issa that the light which he saw at the end of the tunnel at the dawning of 2017 was in reality not another in-coming train, but a bright future heading Jamaica’s way.

Joey Issa

 “I see a bright light at the end of the tunnel and it’s not the proverbial in-coming train, but rather, a new and more inclusive era of prosperity rising from the horizon…I urge everyone to get on board …It’s an era that is more resilient to crime and violence and unemployment,” Issa says in an interview, on his outlook for Jamaica as 2016 faded into 2017.

Issa has traditionally been sought after for his New Year outlook on the Jamaican economy as member of the St. Ann Chamber of Commerce Past Presidents Advisory Committee and as a successful businessman whose business model for his Cool Group has been compared with that of his colleague Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Group.

A popular civic leader, Issa says he sees further improvements in several micro sectors as well as in the macro economy, which continues to stabilize and enable growth.

“The economic gains will make us stronger in the fight against the country’s major ills and will engender a new era of unity around our shared goals,” says Issa, who is also a qualified conflict mediator and Roman Catholic Eucharistic Minister.

“I am confident that the strides being made by the Ministry of Justice and its social partners in fighting crime and violence and making justice more palatable will reap rewards in the long run,” he says, as he recalls the hands of friendship and partnership extended by the Prime Minister to all Jamaicans whether in civil society or in opposition for them to get onboard

“I believe he deserves a chance to prove himself, especially with two pieces of legislation which will go a far way to reducing political tension and social and economic insecurity in the country.”

Issa was referencing the prime minister’s legislative agenda, including setting a fixed date for general elections, which was outlined by the Governor-General in his throne speech at the opening of the 2016/2017 Parliament.

“We all know what uncertainty surrounding the date of a general election can do to a country such as ours, in terms of stifling investment and heightening social tension,” Issa argues.

 

No stranger to advocacy, Issa has previously spoken out in public against several of Jamaica’s ills including environmental degradation, corruption, crime and violence, unemployment and poverty.

Recent developments proving Issa right about his latest vision for Jamaica include low inflation, a huge net international reserve, and stability in the slide of the Jamaican dollar, growth and renewed confidence and optimism in the economy by both consumers and businesses.