Opposition calling on Gov’t to articulate urgently a clear industrial strategy

September 14, 2026

The People’s National Party (PNP) is calling on Government to articulate urgently, a clear industrial strategy.

The Opposition says the latest merchandise trade data, from the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN) confirm a deepening structural decline in Jamaica’s visible trade performance and a continuing fall-off in export earnings.

The Party says the current policy is failing to address the issues.

STATIN’s most recent international trade merchandise bulletin, covering January to May 2026, shows total export earnings of US $674.7 million a 12 .5% decline compared to the same period last year.

The import bill rose 1.8% to roughly US $3.2 billion over the corresponding period of 2025.

Spokesperson on Industry, Trade and Global Logistics says the country is spending close to five times what it earns from exports.

https://iriefm.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/a-hylton-1.mp3

The PNP is urging the Government to treat the latest STATIN figures as a call to action and to bring a clear industrial and trade strategy to parliament as a priority, in tandem with and not subordinate to the post-Melissa reconstruction effort.