January 29, 2026
Jamaica’s Prime Minister, Andrew Holness, on Wednesday urged Latin America and the Caribbean to position itself more assertively as a central force in the global economy, calling on the region to move beyond what he described as a long-standing narrative of vulnerability.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of CAF’s second International Economic Forum in Panama City, Prime Minister Holness told an audience of regional and international leaders, policymakers, investors, and development partners that the region faces a defining choice between shaping global change or being shaped by it.
“For too long, our region has been described primarily through the language of vulnerability,” Holness said. “But vulnerability is not destiny. We are not peripheral to the global system. We are central to its stability, sustainability, and future growth.”
He highlighted Latin America and the Caribbean’s strategic geographic position, youthful populations, abundant natural resources, food-producing capacity, renewable energy potential, creative industries, and resilient democratic institutions as core strengths. According to the Prime Minister, fully leveraging these advantages will require stronger regional coordination and clearer alignment around shared priorities.
“We must articulate clearer regional positions on climate resilience, supply-chain diversification, digital inclusion, and sustainable energy,” he said. “We must move from fragmented national initiatives to aligned regional priorities, and we must shift from reacting to global change to anticipating it and helping to shape the standards and partnerships of the next decade.”
Holness outlined three key imperatives for advancing the region’s economic standing. These include a competitiveness agenda centred on connectivity, logistics, energy security, and digital transformation; institutional readiness grounded in credible and predictable policy frameworks; and a renewed diplomatic and economic posture that deepens engagement with both traditional partners and emerging markets.
Drawing on Jamaica’s own experience, Holness said sustained fiscal discipline, institutional reform, and macroeconomic stability have strengthened the country’s capacity to absorb shocks and recover from crises. He cited Jamaica’s response to Hurricane Melissa, a Category Five storm that struck months ago and caused significant damage and economic losses, as an example of resilience underpinned by strong institutions and continued international confidence.
The Prime Minister also used the forum to invite investors and development partners to engage with Jamaica’s expanding pipeline of bankable projects across infrastructure, logistics, energy, manufacturing, tourism, and the digital economy. He encouraged participants to view Jamaica not only as a market, but as a platform for broader regional growth, supported by macroeconomic stability and a predictable, investor-friendly environment.
As part of the forum’s programme, CAF has organised a Jamaica Investment Forum in collaboration with the Government of Jamaica. The initiative is aimed at attracting investment to support the country’s ongoing rebuilding and development efforts.
Source: (Caribbean National Weekly)
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