LASCO CHAIRMAN ISSUES CHALLENGE TO JAMAICAN YOUTH

Kingston, Jamaica – April 2, 2009:

Chairman and CEO of the LASCO Group of Companies, Honourable Lascelles Chin, has expressed the view that the global economic recession is fuelling resurgence in entrepreneurship and the small business sector. He is urging Jamaican youth to see the current economic climate as a “wonderful opportunity” for self-reliance and creativity.

Mr. Chin made the comments while delivering the keynote address at the Grand Finale of TVJ’s Schools’ Challenge Quiz on Tuesday, March 31. “Sharpen your creativity and your survival instincts and begin to think about some entrepreneurial projects that you can start in your leisure time as a student or when you graduate from high school,” the LASCO CEO/Chairman advised.

He underscored the need for young people to get the required training and stay focused in school, if they want to stay competitive in the world of entrepreneurship or in any other chosen career. “Don’t be afraid of thinking big and turning your big ideas into reality,” said Mr. Chin. “Get the required training and always be mindful that you need to stay ahead of the game in skills and competence.”

He commended the efforts of educational institutions such as Buff Bay High and Immaculate Conception, where youngsters have been leading agricultural and business enterprises. The LASCO CEO/Chairman appealed to the youth to exercise self-confidence: “I realize that the times in which we live can be daunting but I want to encourage all the team-members who have participated in TVJ’s Schools’ Challenge Quiz this year and all our youth of this nation, to never lose faith in themselves and in this great country.” He recommended that the recipe for success by youth and adults is the development of positive values and attitudes and a commitment to taking their responsibilities seriously.

Mr. Chin expressed confidence that the youth will create a bright future for Jamaica: “I see in you the hopes and dreams of this country, a marvelous, limitless potential. Make your country and yourself proud by developing and honing your acquired as well as God-given talents and skills.”

The LASCO CEO congratulated the Kingston College team for being the winners in the TVJ 2009 Schools’ Challenge Quiz. They won Ardenne High 42 to 14 in Tuesday’s Finals. He also commended Ardenne High for its efforts and for contributing to an exciting, nail-biting final round. Mr. Chin praised TVJ for its 40 years of excellent production of Schools’ Challenge Quiz.

“This Quiz is testament to the spirit of excellence and creativity in our people…Schools’ Challenge Quiz has undoubtedly helped to generate a tradition of goodwill among schools and coaches across the island,” Mr. Chin declared.

KC Team Captain Kenneth Peart said his team was “overjoyed at the victory” and he complimented the teachers, coaches and KC alumni for helping them to prepare for this achievement.

LASCO presented the winning team with $100,000 and LASCO gift baskets. The runner-up team, Ardenne High, received $70,000 and LASCO gift baskets. LASCO also presented the prize of a breakfast programme to Manchester High School, the school from the county of Middlesex (the county in which LASCO’s largest operations is located), which scored the highest points in this year’s staging of the competition.