THE
PNP has distinguished itself for having provided the most
housing solutions to the greatest number of Jamaicans. Building
on this solid foundation, the People's National Party will
in the next term:
-
Improve further on its impressive record of providing the
largest number of affordable houses to the people of Jamaica
- Advance
Government/Private Sector partnerships through the joint
venture programme, which will provide thousands with houses;
-
Provide housing opportunities to many more of our people
through the National Housing Develop-ment Corporation, the
Sugar Lands Housing Programme, and completion of Relocation
2000;
-
The development of a new comprehensive township on lands
in Inverness in Clarendon, the planning of which is already
advanced with a number of private sector interests having
already been confirmed.
-
The continuation of the revitalised Operation PRIDE Project
to provide land tenure to thousands more;
-
A renewed emphasis on the development of affordable housing
solutions by the National Housing Trust.
National
is not simply a social benefit. It is an economic investment
by homeowners, an investment that has a major impact on improving
living standards and increasing productivity.
The
PNP is proud of its achievement in significantly improving
the quality of housing during the past decade, as reflected
in the Housing Quality Index.
URBAN
AND INNER-CITY RENEWAL
A
major aspect of housing and other infrastructure development
will be an initiative to breathe new life into our urban centres
and inner-cities. This will include a number of projects such
as:
-
The Caracas Energy Agreement has provided funding for the
programme started in 2001 to upgrade and renew the social
and physical environment in 48 communities in the Kingston
Metropolitan Area. This will create employment, micro-business
financing, improve housing, sanitation and roads, as well
as reduce crime and violence.
-
Completion of Relocation 2000 in selected cities and towns
islandwide.
-
Implementing a major housing development project in Kingston
and St. Andrew, as part of the Inner-City Communities Renewal
Programme. A comprehensive programme of urban renewal is
being developed, involving government, private sector and
NGOs. Financing for the Inner City Renewal Programme has
been raised from various international sources (Caracas
Energy Accord, IDB/World Bank).
This Programme is complemented by the Urban Renewal (Tax Relief)
Act, which provides special economic incentives to investors
in the Kingston Metropolitan Area. We will:
-
Continue implementation of the 3-year Kingston Restoration
Company/IDB-funded Kingston Urban Renewal Project at a cost
of J$3.5 billion
-
Expand the Urban Renewal Tax Incentive Programme beyond
Kingston and Montego Bay.
INTEGRATED
TOURISM
In
order to achieve sustained economic growth and consequently
job creation, it is necessary to focus on those sectors that
have the best possibilities for generating sustainable investment
and export-related growth. In this regard, we will pursue
an integrated Tourism Development Programme to add value to
our abundant resources and build on Jamaica's comparative
advantage.
Our
development programme for the sector is geared towards moving
the tourism product from a narrow focus on sun, sea and sand
to the promotion of islandwide activity that offers a diversity
of accommodation and novel, fulfilling visitor experiences.
Jamaica
is blessed with a most extraordinary combination of a beautiful
and natural environment, and a talented and vibrant people
who have demonstrated their ability to create unique and powerful
expressions of their rich, dynamic culture.
The
PNP believes that our future economic development is inextricably
linked to our ability to harness and develop these gifts and
to package and promote them in a manner that maximises their
inherent economic potential, while maintaining their integrity.
Our
natural, cultural and built heritage, provide a major source
of pride for nationals and form the basis for diverse economic
activity.
