Prime Minister: Jamaica Must Turn Economic Stability Into Long-Term Prosperity

Published: 7 July 2026

Jamaica must now focus on converting years of economic stability into sustained productivity, investment and long-term prosperity, according to Prime Minister Andrew Holness, who said the country’s next phase of development will depend on improving efficiency, strengthening infrastructure and creating opportunities for future generations.

Speaking recently, the Prime Minister argued that Jamaica has reached an important point in its economic journey, where maintaining fiscal discipline alone is no longer enough. Instead, he said the emphasis must now shift towards increasing national productivity and ensuring that economic gains translate into higher living standards for ordinary Jamaicans.

Among his central messages was that growth cannot be achieved solely through government spending. He stressed that businesses, workers and public institutions all have a role to play in improving efficiency and competitiveness.

“The focus now has to be productivity,” the Prime Minister said, describing it as the foundation for stronger wages, increased investment and sustainable economic expansion.

The speech also reinforced the Government’s broader development agenda, linking infrastructure, housing, transportation and public services as essential components of Jamaica’s future economic success. In previous addresses this year, the administration has outlined plans for significant investments in roads, housing, urban renewal and major public infrastructure while continuing efforts to strengthen fiscal resilience following Hurricane Melissa.

Addressing regional development, the Prime Minister has repeatedly emphasised that infrastructure should be viewed as more than construction projects. Speaking at the opening of the rebuilt Troy Bridge, he described the project as representing “reconnection”, “resilience” and “the triumph of persistence over delay,” arguing that well-planned infrastructure improves communities, supports business and connects people with opportunity.

Housing also remains central to the Government’s long-term strategy. Recent announcements have included continued National Housing Trust investment, expanded housing expenditure and measures aimed at improving affordability for key public-sector workers, alongside ongoing developments intended to increase housing supply.

Beyond domestic priorities, the Prime Minister has continued to position Jamaica as an increasingly attractive destination for international investment. During the Suriname Energy, Oil and Gas Summit in June, he said that when countries in the Caribbean succeed economically, “the entire region rises,” highlighting the importance of regional cooperation in attracting capital and supporting development.

The latest remarks suggest the Government’s attention is now moving beyond economic recovery towards creating conditions for sustained growth through greater productivity, modern infrastructure and continued investment.

While challenges remain—including global economic uncertainty, inflationary pressures and affordability concerns—the Prime Minister’s message was that Jamaica’s recent gains provide a platform for the country’s next stage of development, provided productivity keeps pace with ambition.

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