In the Office of the Prime Minister, Ambassador Audrey Marks was appointed as a minister without a portfolio, responsible for efficiency, innovation, and digital transformation, according to a recent announcement by Prime Minister Andrew Holness.
In a statement, Holness noted that Marks, who took the oath of office as a senator on Friday, offers a lot of expertise to the position because she was Jamaica’s ambassador to the US, where she was instrumental in fostering closer ties between the two countries. As the creator of the bill payment business Paymaster, Marks also had a distinguished career in the private sector.
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Meanwhile, the Ministry of Tourism has named Senator Delano Seiveright as its minister of state. Previously serving as the ministry’s principal advisor, Seiveright has been involved in Jamaica’s tourism industry and has helped with several projects that have improved the country’s travel offerings.
To ensure that more Jamaicans directly profit from the expansion of the tourist industry, Senator Seiveright’s new position will concentrate on strengthening ties between the industry and the larger economy, according to Holness.
Holness expressed confidence in the competence of Senators Marks and Seiveright, noting that the nominations further his Administration’s dedication to innovation, public service efficiency, and tourist growth.
According to him, their nominations are calculated moves in the direction of the Administration’s objectives of modernizing government functions and bolstering the travel and tourism sector as part of the ASPIRE development strategy, which was unveiled in November 2024.
Six major pillars are represented by ASPIRE: Infrastructure Development, Safety and Security, People (Human Capital Development), Economic Diversification/New Industries, Reform of the Bureaucracy (Ease, Speed, and Cost of Doing Business), and Access to Economic Opportunity for All (Inclusive Growth).
According to the statement, both senators are adamantly dedicated to furthering the ASPIRE agenda and anticipate using their assignments to significantly impact Jamaica’s long-term social and economic advancement for the country’s citizens.
