Job creation is the top priority for the Progressive Labour Party should it win power for a fourth consecutive term, Premier Paula Cox said yesterday.Ms Cox launched her party’s election manifesto called “Moving Forward Together” at Alaska Hall yesterday morning.“Our first and foremost goal is to build up Bermuda’s economy in ways that will create jobs, thousands of jobs. We understand that this kind of sweeping economic development requires sound fiscal management but we’ve already demonstrated that we know how to manage budgets in a prudent pro-growth manner and we are going to build on our achievements with a comprehensive range of initiatives,” the Premier said.“We will invest in infrastructure to stimulate business growth. We will provide carefully targeted job training to give Bermudians the skills they need to get good paying jobs and support their families.“We will attract new investments from abroad through a number of innovations including our initiatives to make Bermuda a world headquarters for the hedge fund industry.”Among the job creation measures being proposed are the creation of new revenue streams through the Blue Economy, Telecommunications and E-commerce.The PLP also plans to “enhance Bermuda’s reputation as an excellent place to do business by enhancing our work permit policies while being ever mindful of the need to protect Bermudians” and “enhance the Incentives for Job Makers Legislation to expand opportunities for Bermudian employment”.A local Bermuda dollar denominated bond market would be created, companies would be allowed to hold real estate and the number of Economic Empowerment Zones would be expanded.The PLP is also proposing to “implement a Gulf Cooperation Council Task Force Plan to diversify and grow the economy,” set up a Bermuda Space Enterprise Zone and “enter into an agreement with a satellite operator for the use of our orbital slot.”Capital projects will be prioritised to “deliver social economic and environmental benefits over the next five years, but the PLP would look for funding for infrastructure projects through private/public partnerships and private sources.“The PLP has steered Bermuda through the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. Many of our people are suffering far too much. And there is much yet to be done. But we have the bold, visionary platform to create a thriving economy and healthy societies for the 21st century. And we have the ability to hit the ground running from day one. Together, we can and we will move forward,” the Premier said.She also attempted to differentiate her party from the Opposition One Bermuda Alliance.“What sets us apart from our opponents is that we don’t make promises just because it’s what voters want to hear,” she said.“The PLP is a party of seasoned and experienced leaders who have been through this before. We know what is feasible and what are mere pipe dreams and we are not in the game of misleading Bermudians.”While Ms Cox focused on the economy in her remarks at Alaska Hall which was filled to capacity with election candidates and supporters, the platform also contains promises on education, seniors, youth, health, housing and community development.Bermuda College will become a university if voters give the Progressive Labour Party another term as Government, the manifesto promises.And on the environment, the party pledges to launch a national tree planting campaign, implement a bottle bill as a key part of a National Recycling Programme and require every Special Development Order to include an Environmental Impact Assessment.Deputy Premier Derrick Burgess spoke after the Premier's introduction and listed the PLPs achievements and highlighted promises for seniors and youth.Public education came next with Minister Dame Jennifer Smith saying a special scholarship for those with disabilities will be established, school councils will be promoted and a register of home schools and tutorial sites will be established.Junior National Security Minister Jonathan Smith said that a new national crime reduction programme will be “people focused and performance focused”. Its “number one aim” would be to reduce “all crime”, he said. Its second aim would be to reduce youth offending and delinquent behaviours “with a specific emphasis on measures to reduce and then eliminate the gang lifestyle as a lifestyle of choice.”“What we are proposing goes significantly beyond Operation Ceasefire.”He said: “We have to reverse trends that were embedded 30, 40 years ago.”–The PLP also plans to enact legislation to allow inmates to contribute a portion of their earnings to a victim compensation fund.Environment Minister Marc Bean also spoke at the event.“We have chosen not to take the path of austerity,” he said. “We are conscious of the fact that we as a people must go forward together as one. And so, going forward our attention is not going to be on cuts in spending which can marginalise people from our society. Our focus is on the revenue side, increasing our economic opportunity, bringing more revenue into society to facilitate economic development.”He said cooperation is the party’s focus. “We know that by being competitive and copperating with each other we will be able to navigate as one country. That is the only way we can move forward together.”Useful website: www.plp.bm/platform