Jamaica has benefited for decades from the mining of the aluminium ore called bauxite. It is a diminishing resource that will one day be exhausted, as we continue to exploit the mineral for export.

a politician recently suggested that even if the facility to produce aluminium had been developed, rather than depending on export of the refined alumina ore alone - and we were exporting finished products, such as metallic-alloy engine blocks, car, and aircraft body parts, etc. - Jamaica would still have suffered an industrial recession in the prevailing market conditions.

Adding value

It is true that cycles of recession affect every industry, but that is hardly reason not to embark on projects that add value at different stages of the production process.

Should we have produced aluminium and other finished products, the value-added revenue would be such that Jamaica could have added significantly to its budgeted revenue and, with careful management, we could have a minimal social security safety net to protect Jamaicans from these harsh economic cycles.

As the bauxite ore diminishes, we could import from other countries, continuing the production of this metal, rather than shutting down plants and laying off the labour force.

Unfortunate

Countries with virtually no mineral resources, The Bahamas, for example, were able to develop their economy to the fullest, and provide their citizens with a viable economy to depend on. The Bahamas relies on tourism, but it is next door to one of the world's largest tourist markets. Jamaica is not so geographically fortunate, so we cannot depend on fragile tourism.

Jamaica already suffers from excessive capacity in rooms available, which was very predictable, as a boom in hotel building recently took place. So this industry is hardly reliable and brings with it social negatives, especially in a country with Jamaica's demographics.

I am, etc.,

PADRAIG BROWN

bee_wasp@lycos.com

Florida