AMBITION AND SUCCESS
TBY talks to Janette Taylor, Executive Director ofDevon House Development Limited, on Tourism and Entertainment sector.
What is the historical significance of Devon House for Jamaica?
The background of Devon House is the story of a man who worked his way up in life and built a home for himself. George Stiebel was Jamaica's first black millionaire and made his fortune from gold in Venezuela after surviving a shipwreck. This story of ambition and success is extremely important for a country that is still haunted by the legacies of slavery and colonialism. In 1965, Devon House was set to be demolished to build an apartment complex; however, the Hon. Edward Seaga put a stop to it, and the government acquired the house. It then became the home of the National Gallery until 1982. In 1982, he reopened Devon House, which was when all the structural work was done. The house was restored to its former glory, but its budget was barely paying salaries. When I joined in 2006, the government was providing JMD40 million (USD310,700) a year in subsidies. Since then, we have undertaken significant changes and improvements to increase the number of visitors and reduce our dependence on the government.
How do you intend to become self-sufficient in terms of funding?
Since we updated the furnishings, many people now choose to hold events here, to the point where we have to turn away people. On weekends, we have over 3,000 people coming through here. Our location is fantastic; we are the only green space as such in Kingston, which is extremely central.
AMBITION AND SUCCESS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Interview
Michael Lee-Chin, Founder and Chairman, Portland Holdings, Chairman, Economic Growth Council, Chairman, National Commercial Bank (NCB)
Portland Holdings manages public and private equity and strives to build strong businesses that support the well-being of the communities in which they operate.
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A Legal Introduction to Jamaica’s SEZ Regime
A special economic zone (SEZ) is as a geographical demarcated area within a country's national borders that is governed by trade and business laws that are distinct from the laws of the rest of that country. The objective of an SEZ is usually to attract investment to a nation's shores, and thereby increase employment and economic growth.
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Daryl Vaz, Minister with responsibility for Land, the Environment, Climate Change, and Investment, Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation
The Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation is working hard to ensure Jamaica's growth doesn't come at the expense of its environment.
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Given its close proximity to North America's economic powerhouses and its warm relationship with its former colonial power, Jamaica's best and brightest have long decamped for more developed shores. The government is now fighting to encourage them to stay at home.
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