Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness has reiterated that for Jamaica to grow, the pace of investments must be increased.

He said this means increasing the capital budget, while supporting more private investments.

The Prime Minister said while this is now happening, it’s not sufficient for growth.

According to him, there must be a parallel increase in the skills necessary for the conversion of the capital into infrastructure and a government bureaucracy that supports public and private investments with a far more efficient approval and permitting system.

He was speaking during a meeting with this year’s national housing trust construction scholarship recipients, who are pursuing degrees in civil engineering, construction management, architecture, and urban planning.

Holness said the scholarship programme forms an integral part of the government’s growth strategy for the country.