PM to shed light on IMF talks tomorrow

Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller has yielded to public pressure to shed light on the on-going negotiations with the International Monetary Fund. She is to give an update to the media tomorrow.

The media briefing follows a three-day special meeting of the Cabinet on the weekend to discuss the country’s priorities for the 2013/2014 fiscal year. The prime minister has come under intense pressure to release information on the drawn out negotiations with the IMF, especially after a broadcast to nation last Sunday in which she failed to make any mention.

In a statement through the Jamaica Information Service last evening, Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller said Cabinet made good and steady progress at its three-day meeting.

She said, yesterday, ministers reported on their strategic priorities for 2013/2014 and that cabinet examined the issues to see how it would shape the upcoming budget, against the background of the Economic Reform Programme and discussions with the International Monetary Fund. She said cabinet also settled on important measures to be adopted in shaping the 2013/2014 Budget, and the economic development programme, including the acceleration of job creation.

Simpson Miller said the legislative programme for the current fiscal year and for the year ahead was also discussed and Cabinet also examined, among other things, the further strengthening of the institutional capacity of the security forces; crime prevention and community safety.