Holness says Jamaica must move from exporting talent to attracting it

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness declared that Jamaica must transition from being a net exporter of talent to becoming a destination that attracts and retains skilled workers to achieve sustained economic growth. Speaking at the 25th-anniversary gala of Riu Hotels & Resorts in Montego Bay, Holness emphasized that the global competition for talent has become a paramount challenge of the modern era, even eclipsing the pursuit of investment and natural resources.

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Countries are competing for visitors…Countries are competing for investments. They are competing for businesses. But you know what else they are competing for? They are competing for talent. That, in fact, is the biggest competition.

"Countries are competing for visitors… They are competing for talent. That, in fact, is the biggest competition," Holness told guests. He noted that while Jamaica has historically supplied skilled labor to overseas markets, the nation must now actively seek to draw talent from abroad and simultaneously cultivate opportunities that encourage Jamaicans to remain domestically.

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Jamaica must position itself, not only as a net exporter of talent, which we have been for almost 200 years, but we need to now position ourselves to be receivers of talent into our economy, if our economy is to grow and expand.

Holness stressed the interconnectedness of migration, tourism, and foreign direct investment, asserting that these factors are influenced by the same elements that guide individuals' and businesses' decisions about where to locate. "A tourist chooses where to spend a vacation. An investor chooses where to place capital. A business chooses where to establish operations. A skilled worker chooses where to build a career. A family chooses where to build a future," he stated.

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A tourist chooses where to spend a vacation. An investor chooses where to place capital. A business chooses where to establish operations. A skilled worker chooses where to build a career. A family chooses where to build a future.

The prime minister argued that successful nations are those that establish themselves as destinations of choice, citing Singapore, Dubai, and Switzerland as examples of countries that have created environments conducive to attracting investment, skilled workers, and long-term economic activity. He believes Jamaica's tourism industry can play a pivotal role by acting as an initial point of contact, shaping perceptions, building confidence, and showcasing the nation's potential. "Tourism is the gateway to investment-led development," Holness asserted, suggesting that successful tourism investments can foster a virtuous cycle leading to new opportunities that retain local talent and attract foreign workers.

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The countries that succeed are those countries that become a destination of choice.