Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness presented a compelling case for investment on Tuesday, positioning the nation’s robust macroeconomic stability and significant public safety improvements as foundational pillars for economic opportunity. Delivering the keynote address at the Jamaica Stock Exchange’s 21st Investment and Capital Markets Conference, Holness outlined a decade of disciplined fiscal management and consistent growth as evidence of the country’s economic resilience.
The Prime Minister established a direct correlation between national security and economic prosperity, declaring that reducing criminal activity transcends social necessity to become a central component of investment strategy. ‘Lowering crime is not just a social imperative. It is central to attracting the quality investment our country needs,’ Holness told conference attendees, reinforcing the symbiotic relationship between safer communities and financial opportunity.
Government initiatives targeting serious crime have yielded measurable results, with Jamaica recording fewer than 700 homicides in 2025—the nation’s lowest murder tally in over three decades. Holness highlighted increased support for law enforcement agencies and strategic security policies as integral to creating a more favorable business environment.
‘When people feel secure, businesses flourish. When investors see progress on crime, they see Jamaica as a place to grow,’ the Prime Minister asserted, challenging both domestic and international investors to adopt bold visioning for Jamaica’s economic future. He emphasized that the convergence of economic stability and security enhancements could unlock transformative opportunities across multiple sectors.
The three-day conference serves as a formal gathering for policymakers, business leaders, and market participants to develop strategies for expanding Jamaica’s capital markets and strengthening investor engagement mechanisms.