Debbie-Ann Wright, News Editor
The Gleaner/Power 106 News Centre

Cabinet members are set to begin a retreat today at which critical issues including talks with the International Monetaray Fund (IMF), are expected to be discussed.

The retreat is the third for the 10-month-old Portia Simpson Miller-chaired Cabinet.

Last Week Opposition Leader Andrew Holness said he hoped Simpson Miller would keep the retreat in Kingston at Jamaica House to minimise cost.

And at a public forum in St. Catherine last evening, Simpson Miller confirmed that the retreat would in fact be held at Jamaica House.

And turning to the serious economic problems confronting the country Simpson Miller said it was critical that the country secure a deal with the IMF.

An IMF team which was recently in Jamaica is now consulting with the fund’s board on the negotiations so far.

The Government is hoping to ink a deal before the year ends.

Yesterday’s forum at the Jose Marti Technical High School was the first in a series aimed at providing the public with information on key aspects of national development and parish-level concerns.

radio@gleanerjm.com