By Claudia Gardner:
NEGRIL, Jamaica — Minister of Efficiency, Innovation and Digital Transformation Ambassador Audrey Marks has declared herself the ultimate advocate for Jamaica’s private sector.
Speaking on Saturday at the Jamaica All Island Chambers of Commerce Quarterly Luncheon held at Skylark Negril Beach Resort which was hosted by the Negril Chamber of Commerce, Minister Marks said government and business must work together to drive sustainable growth and transform rural economies.
Addressing business leaders and chamber representatives, Marks praised the longstanding role chambers of commerce have played in Jamaica’s development and economic advancement by way of advocacy, partnership and private sector leadership throughout the nation’s history.
“For generations, chambers of commerce have served as trusted voices for enterprise, innovation, investment, and national development. You have helped to create opportunities, strengthen communities, and champion policies that allow businesses, large and small, to thrive,” she stated.
“As someone who has spent many years working alongside the private sector, both locally and internationally, I want to make it clear that I see the private sector as a critical partner in Jamaica’s continued growth and transformation. Government cannot achieve sustainable development alone,” she added.
Marks, a former business executive and diplomat before entering representational politics, said she still views herself as deeply connected to the private sector.
“Progress happens when public and private interests align around a shared national vision,” she said. “And so I want to say… that I continue to see myself as a private sector person, a private sector advocate in the government. And every occasion that I get to speak with private sector persons, I want to make that point, because I remember when I was in business and sometimes trying to find someone in government that would respond, it was sometimes a great difficulty.”
The minister assured attendees that she intends to use her position in government to support businesses and improve communication between the public and private sectors. She stressed that Jamaica’s development goals cannot be achieved without stronger collaboration between government and enterprise.
“So I want all of you here to know, you have a friend and you have an advocate in business. Apart from what is in the details of my job description, a primary function is to be an advocate for private business. I want to see private business thriving, because we cannot have a growth agenda with private business struggling. The private sector must become a co-partner,” she said.
