As a resilient nation, let us not be daunted by all the negative predictions and utterances about the economic prospects for the New Year. Instead, let us seize the opportunity to contribute in a meaningful way so that our country can ride out this one.

Yes, we will see a lot of projects being 'put on ice' and money budgeted for some capital expenditure being used instead for more pressing needs. This will be a year when the trade unions will have to be pragmatic and help to educate the workers about economising, instead of trying to squeeze out the last cent from the employer to give it to the employee.

It will be a time when companies will have to educate their employees more about conservation. The lights, computers, AC units and the like, etc, must at all times be turned off when not in use. Employees will also have to play their part to preserve their jobs. Recycling envelopes and other stationery will have to be the order of the day.

Public awareness

The public information arm of the Government will have to step up its public-awareness campaign to drive home the point that we have to make use of locally grown food and other consumer items to retain some of the foreign exchange used to procure these items.

The man on the corner will have to leave his comfort zone and embrace the verse in the Bible that states, "By the sweat of your brow you shall eat bread." There are so many idle lands around; the RADA office should identify where these lands are and publicise their locations and invite young men to get with the programme.

Collectively, we can keep the economic ghosts at bay and show the world that for Jamaica, the prediction that 2009 will be a tough and challenging year, was only a myth.

I am, etc.,

PATRICK PANTON

Patrick_Panton@jmmb.com

Heartease, St Thomas