I have paid close attention to Don Robotham's columns over the years and though I agreed with much, I had reason for reservations about some of his views. But I am entirely in his corner on the issue of state intervention in the economy to guide its development, driven not by ideological dogma, but based on international empirical evidence and the absolute need to combine intelligently all the elements required to achieve real progress in Jamaica.

Things to be done

He has pointed to a number of things that need to be done (the what), such as widening and deepening the local linkages of the tourist industry, international out-sourcing, the Caymanas Industrial Park, etc and this is a good first step in a fundamental alternative policy direction. The big next step is 'how' to get it done and this is where such efforts as Vision 2030 should now be focused.

Another vital question is the implications of this alternative policy direction for the divestment of the government's shares in the JPS and Petrojam, and perhaps only a comprehensive, integrated policy analysis framework could produce objective results. But will this be pre-empted by the short-term Budget crisis and continue to carry us along the existing path of economic and social decay?

I am, etc.,

JAMES PETERS

Kingston