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Gov’t goes into 4-day retreat 
Thursday, 07 January 2010
Prime Minister Bruce Golding.
Prime Minister Bruce Golding who has been facing mounting criticisms over his stewardship of the economy, will along with members of his Cabinet, be going into a four day retreat starting on Thursday.
The negotiation with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), taxes and crime are some of the items expected to dominate the agenda.
The embattled Prime Minister and his Cabinet will be looking at strategies to resuscitate the ailing economy and to sooth growing anger over the massive tax package which took effect January 1.
Information Minister Daryl Vaz told RJR News Wednesday night that the IMF negotiations will be the major item on the agenda which included several other major issues.
"The medium term economic plan, the 2010, 2011 budget, the legislative agenda for 2010/2011 and of course the partnership for transformation," he said.
The Opposition has been clamouring for an immediate debate with the Government on the conditionalities entered into with the IMF.
The People's National Party believes those conditions will have a devastating effect on the economy and consumers who are now struggling under the weight of the current recession.
Daryl Vaz, Information Minister.
However, according to Mr. Vaz, the Government will have the debate when Parliament resumes on January 19.
"We'll then be prepared for a fulsome debate and discussion on all the issues mentioned before and at that time, the Prime minister and the Finance Minister will be in a position to indicate to Jamaica
the way forward for 2010 and beyond."
On Wednesday, Finance Minister Audley Shaw announced that the Letter of Intent to access a US$1.2 billion loan from the IMF is ready and a decision by the Fund's Board could be just weeks away.
He added however, that Cabinet would have final discussions on the document at the retreat.
Jamaica is seeking the standby loan facility from the IMF due to severe erosion of its foreign exchange earnings, especially in terms of bauxite/alumina exports and remittances from Jamaicans overseas.
Thursday, 07 January 2010
Prime Minister Bruce Golding.The negotiation with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), taxes and crime are some of the items expected to dominate the agenda.
The embattled Prime Minister and his Cabinet will be looking at strategies to resuscitate the ailing economy and to sooth growing anger over the massive tax package which took effect January 1.
Information Minister Daryl Vaz told RJR News Wednesday night that the IMF negotiations will be the major item on the agenda which included several other major issues.
"The medium term economic plan, the 2010, 2011 budget, the legislative agenda for 2010/2011 and of course the partnership for transformation," he said.
The Opposition has been clamouring for an immediate debate with the Government on the conditionalities entered into with the IMF.
The People's National Party believes those conditions will have a devastating effect on the economy and consumers who are now struggling under the weight of the current recession.
Daryl Vaz, Information Minister."We'll then be prepared for a fulsome debate and discussion on all the issues mentioned before and at that time, the Prime minister and the Finance Minister will be in a position to indicate to Jamaica
the way forward for 2010 and beyond."
On Wednesday, Finance Minister Audley Shaw announced that the Letter of Intent to access a US$1.2 billion loan from the IMF is ready and a decision by the Fund's Board could be just weeks away.
He added however, that Cabinet would have final discussions on the document at the retreat.
Jamaica is seeking the standby loan facility from the IMF due to severe erosion of its foreign exchange earnings, especially in terms of bauxite/alumina exports and remittances from Jamaicans overseas.
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