Senator Frank Walker, the president of the Policy and Resources Committee, said that he welcomed all such surveys and the views of business and any other section of the community.
But he suggested that because the Chamber survey had gone out before the economic growth plan had been published, members had not been aware of all current States initiatives.
As reported this week, around three-quarters of the 142 firms who responded to the Chamber survey said that they had ‘little or no confidence that current government initiatives would contribute to the Island’s economic success’.
There have also been mixed reactions to the economic growth strategy, with Chamber members and tourism in particular asking for a more detailed plan of action.
But Senator Walker said: ‘What seems to be reflected by Chamber members is not at all a lack of confidence in our strategies – economic, fiscal, or the migration policy – but a lack of confidence in the States’ ability to deal with them and win support.
That I accept – and it’s up to us to persuade the majority of States Members.
‘What I now envisage for the end of the year, what I am hoping and looking for, is States approval for the immigration policy, the economic growth policy and fiscal policy.
Those policies, especially with the move to the ministerial form of government, will put Jersey in the best shape.
‘I believe the business community – and that includes Chamber members – will be able to look forward with confidence.
But I accept that the majority of States Members will have to be convinced.
The Chamber survey is due to be sent out again in the near future and the results reported three months from now.
