JAMAICA: PM Calls on Business to Increase Investment in Innovations

#Kingston, October 6, 2018 – Jamaica – Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, is calling on the private sector to increase investment in innovations that will boost their operations and the Jamaican economy.

“In the new model for growth for Jamaica, the reliance cannot be on the Government to innovate and lead growth; it has to be the private sector.  I want to reaffirm that point, to reiterate it and to make an appeal for our local private sector to recognise that the economic environment has changed, that government policy has changed and the Government is playing its role as a regulator,” Prime Minister Holness said.

He was speaking on Friday (October 5) at the launch of GB Energy Texaco Jamaica’s Autogas at the Texaco service station at 27 Half-Way Tree Road, St. Andrew.  The Prime Minister commended the company “for taking the bold step” in launching the new liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), which will benefit motorists across the island.

“Jamaica welcomes GB’s initiative to supply and innovative the LGP product to the local energy market… We see the introduction of LPG as an innovative move that diversifies the options for our consumers,” he said.

He is encouraging more companies to GB’s example. “I want to be congratulating our business people for taking a risk on Jamaica and not being overly conservative and cautious and pessimistic. The future of Jamaica is great, and we want our business people to be optimistic in their outlook, to take risks on Jamaica and to make Jamaica great again,” the Prime Minister said.

Chief Executive Officer, GB Energy Texaco Jamaica, Mauricio Pulido, said that LPG is a cleaner fuel, which is more environmentally friendly and cheaper to the public than gasolene.  He informed that the company has been working on the project for eight months, and started sales two weeks ago, as well as the conversion of gasolene cars to be able to use both LPG and gasolene as fuel sources.

A number of countries have been using LPG as a cleaner and more economic solution for public and mass transportation.  Using LPG as fuel for cars reduces CO₂ emissions by 15 per cent when compared to gasolene.

Release: JIS

Contact: Ainsworth Morris

Photos: Michael Sloley

Photo Captions:

Header: Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness (third right), observes as Chief Executive Officer, GB Energy Texaco Jamaica, Mauricio Pulido (left) prepares to pump liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in a motor vehicle. Occasion was the launch of GB Energy’s Autogas on Friday (October 5) at the Texaco service station, 27 Half-Way Tree Road, St. Andrew. Looking on are Managing Director, Tecnigas Group,  Alex Hill (second right); and Executive Director of the Economic Growth Council, Senator Aubyn Hill (right).

Insert: Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness (left), listens as Managing Director, Tecnigas Group, Alex Hill, explains the process of installing a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tank in a motor vehicle. Occasion was the launch of GB Energy Texaco Jamaica’s Autogas on Friday (October 5) at the Texaco service station, 27 Half-Way Tree Road in St. Andrew.