IMF concerned about JA’s lack of growth

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) says it will be helping Jamaica to focus on achieving growth for the remainder of the Stand-By Arrangement.

Trevor Alleyne, IMF Mission Chief to Jamaica, says even though the programme has gone better than initially expected, the organisation is still concerned about the lack of economic growth.

He says the ultimate key by which the programme will be judged is whether Jamaica can achieve economic growth. 

"At this stage, I would say the task is to protect the gains that have been made so far and expand the focus and attention to particularly the issue of economic growth going forward," Mr. Alleyne said.

Review of October to December period to be delayed

The IMF Mission Chief to Jamaica added that with the new focus, it will delay its report on Jamaica's performance for the October to December period, until it has a clearer picture of the government's economic programme.

That report will be presented to the IMF Board in May along with the report for the January to March period.  

"The government is now in the process of considering not just the finalisation of budget plans but also looking towards putting in place policy with a more growth oriented perspective. To allow the government a little more time to finalise its thinking on those, to be able to capture than in a letter of intent and have discussions with he Fund over it, it made more sense to give ourselves a little more breathing to undertake the next review," said Dr. Gene Leon, IMF Representative in Jamaica.