In one of his final initiatives as Prime Minister, PJ Patterson launched a program of radical transformation of the island’s education system aimed at the development of quality human capital equipped to succeed in the competitive global economy. The liberalization of the information, communication and telecommunications sector also positioned Jamaica as a gateway country in the Caribbean that possesses the infrastructure to transact business and facilitate economic activities in timeframes comparable to the developed world. His policy of liberalization attracted over $4.7 billion in foreign direct investment to the country and resulted in the expansion of the private sector into several areas of economic activities, leading to greater access to goods and services at competitive prices. He also ended Jamaica’s 18-year borrowing relationship with the International Monetary Fund, allowing the country greater latitude in pursuit of its economic policies. His significant investments in modernization of Jamaica’s infrastructure and restructuring of the country’s financial sector are widely credited with having led to Jamaica’s greatest period of investment in tourism, mining, information and communication technologies and energy since the 1960s. This was a period when the Caribbean island nation was facing the formidable challenge of securing a place in a new global order of economic liberalization and deregulation, and PJ Patterson led efforts to strengthen the country’s social protection and security systems-a critical element of his economic and social policy agenda to mitigate, reduce poverty and social deprivation. PJ Patterson became Prime Minister of Jamaica in 1992 following Michael Manley’s resignation. He has served as President and Spokesman of the ACP Ministerial Council on a number of occasions. During his tenure as Jamaica’s Foreign Minister he served as President of the ACP/EU Ministerial Council and led negotiations for the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States with the European Community.Īs Chairman of the ACP/EEC Ministerial Conference, he played a pivotal role in forging an agreement on the basic framework for the original Lomé Convention, which influenced the outcome of subsequent negotiations that led to the Convention being signed in 1975. PJ Patterson was appointed to the Jamaican Cabinet where he held diverse portfolio responsibilities for areas as varied as trade and industry, tourism, foreign affairs, finance and planning.
In 1969 PJ Patterson managed Michael Manley’s campaign to become President of the People’s National Party, and he was later appointed Campaign Manager for the party’s successful bid for power in the 1972 General Elections. It was also at university that he developed a commitment to Caribbean regionalism as well as to the causes of the countries of the developing world.
PJ Patterson’s interest in politics and international relations began as a student, when he served as Chairman of the University of the West Indies External Affairs Commission, during which period he gained exposure to world leaders and international political thought through attendance at a number of international student fora.
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