There are indications that the bauxite sector is set for a rebound by the end of March although preliminary data for January has shown a decline in the sector.
The optimistic outlook came from Everton McFarlane, Acting Director General of the Planning Institute of Jamaica(PIOJ), who said while total bauxite production for January was down 10 percent and exports fell by a similar margin, things could change by next month.
“I will hasten to add that our outlook for the bauxite sector for the entire January to March period is predicated on a strong recovery during the last two months of the quarter based on information that suggests that there will be a significant ramping up of production at the Ewerton plant.”
Concerning tourism, the Acting Director General said tourist arrivals were down last month.