JCC Urges Transparency on Manifesto Promises

August 28, 2025: The Jamaica Chamber of Commerce (JCC) is urging both political parties to present clear and detailed explanations of their major manifesto commitments—particularly those involving tax cuts, increased expenditure, and economic growth strategies.

The JCC emphasizes that Jamaica’s hard-won fiscal stability must not be jeopardized. Citizens deserve to fully understand how proposed policies will be financed, phased, and executed without undermining the country’s economic resilience or risking a reversal of the progress made over the last decade.

Business leaders and members of the JCC are seeking answers to critical questions, including:

• What discretionary or capital spending will be reduced, cut, or deferred to fund the proposed income tax benefits?
• Which spending commitments will be prioritized in the first budget, and which will be postponed to later years?
• Why is Jamaica projected to grow by only 1%, and what specific strategies will be employed to accelerate growth?
• What concrete measures will be taken to grow GDP and strengthen the country’s competitiveness in key sectors?
• What is your long-term vision for sustainable, inclusive economic growth, and how does it differ from approaches of the past?

The JCC calls on both political parties to engage the electorate with transparency and fiscal responsibility, ensuring that campaign promises are not only ambitious but also credible, measurable, and aligned with Jamaica’s long-term economic stability.

As a co-founder (with Media Association Jamaica) of the Jamaica Debates Commission which has organized the current debate cycle, the JCC looks forward to viewing tonight’s debate between the Leaders.

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