The Jamaican people cannot succumb to anymore increases without strong monetary injection in the right ways to offset the unbearable economic downturn.

The ballooning double-digit inflation rate, job cuts, reduced lending by financial agencies, decreases in remittances and the demise of investments schemes such as Cash Plus and Olint, have relegated us to rock-bottom living. We may choose to survive through corrupt means or 'think outside the box'.

But this thinking outside the box has to be facilitated by the Government and the private sector. President Barack Obama has sought to stimulate the depressed US economy by pumping billions of dollars in the information technology (IT), manufacturing and education sectors.

China, formally a developing country, is rapidly becoming a First-World giant because of its investment in innovation and diversification in IT and manufacturing complemented by a highly educated population with the know-how and means to develop world-class technology and products.

We cannot just think in the short-term - Rome was not built in a day. Budgetary planning must look ahead. Our education programmes must be revisited so that the outcome is a self-reliant, productive and innovative workforce that is leading in the creation and exploration of first-class technology, goods and services.

We cannot solely grow and survive on loans from big countries. This only sets us back by widening the deficit and focuses our attention and resources on making debt payments. At the same time, people are now feeling the 'blow' and anymore 'pain' is tantamount to a death sentence.

Implement training programmes

Technical assistance should be given to schools to develop and implement training programmes in production, innovation, science and technology for future expansion and development. The Scientific Research Council becomes even more relevant at this time as they could be expanded to drive this innovation and growth in science and technology, driven by research and training.

Simply cutting costs will not stimulate the economy to grow. We have to now spend on the right things that create an innovative and technology-driven and productive people that will effect employment, strengthen our country's earning capabilities, reduce the deficit and reduce crime and violence.

I am, etc.,

RENALDO MCKENZIE (Rev)

youthinministry@yahoo.com

Kingston and St Andrew Action Forum

Hellshire, St Catherine