Partnership for Transformation could resume

After being suspended for nearly three months there are signs that discussions on the Partnership for Transformation could resume between the Government and the private sector.

Talks came to a halt in mid-May after private sector groups raised concern about the controversy over the Manatt, Phelps and Phillips matter.

The groups said they chose this route because of questions regarding fundamental issues of governance and the link between organised crime and politics.

All that could change Thursday morning when Prime Minister Bruce Golding meets face to face with private sector leaders to discuss outstanding matters regarding the hiring of the US law firm.

The meeting, which is scheduled to begin at 11.30 at Jamaica House, is part of a series of discussions which the Prime Minister intends to hold with civil society groups about the Manatt Affair and other matters.

According to Joseph M. Matalon, President of the Private Sector Organization of Jamaica, he expects the talks will address all outstanding concerns.

“I’m hoping that we will have a fruitful discussion and that it will allow us to resume our participation in the Partnership for Transformation which I think is very important to the interest of the nation as a whole,” he said.