GARY ‘BUTCH’ HENDRICKSON MAKES PSOJ HISTORY
WE ARE celebrating the work of Gary ‘Butch’ Hendrickson, the chairman and CEO of Continental Baking Company. Tonight is about Butch. But it cannot be ignored that this is the first time that we now have two family members in the Hall of Fame. Butch joins his father, the Honourable Karl Hendrickson, OJ, who was inducted 14 years ago in 2002. The entire Hendrickson family must be proud. Congratulations to you both.
Butch is a member of a family of highly successful entrepreneurs. A set of entrepreneurs that have invested across the economy from agro-processing and tourism to, of course, baking. Over the last 60 years, this family has been long on Jamaica. They have invested, reinvested and then invested some more. They have been present and engaged. They understand the importance of hard work and commitment to achieving goals. This attitude and focus has led to the development of their businesses and has contributed to Jamaica’s development. Tonight we celebrate the great achievements of Butch for his contribution to the private sector and Jamaican society as a whole.
Tonight, ladies and gentlemen, there are many positive developments that are going on in Jamaica: Fiscal improvements continue. We must maintain this discipline. The last set of balance of payments figures were greatly improved. I would never have projected a two per cent inflation rate here in Jamaica five years ago.
IIJob creation in the last quarter was robust. We have significant FDI projects in the pipeline which should maintain that momentum. We have just agreed a new IMF agreement for a further three years with significant capacity. The Government has set up a growth council and they have published their results. After 40
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