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Poverty to Prosperity
Budget Presentation
Gordon House March 19, 2015
38
State of the Economy: Growth Agenda Imperative
Mr. Speaker, the propaganda of the government is that the IMF plan is working and will
lead to economic growth. What we know from the being on the ground is that it is not
working for the vast majority of Jamaicans.
We have been to the markets and corner shops,
we have been to the hospitals,
we have been to the churches we have been on the busses.
We have been all over the Island and the universal cry of the people is this is not
working.
Mr. Speaker, let us be clear.
It is a good thing to pass the IMF test. However, the government must also pass the growth
test. If they don‟t pass the growth test, the passing the IMF test alone will mean pain and
pressure for the people of Jamaica.
Mr. Speaker, if the Minister of Finance doesn‟t pass the growth test then he puts in danger
the passage of future IMF tests. If he doesn‟t pass the growth test, then you to take the tax
test. I he doesn‟t pass the growth test then the food basket of the people of Jamaica will
get smaller and smaller.
Mr. Speaker, since this government has been in power, the Jamaican Dollar has lost about
34% of its value. Prices of basic food items have increased, some by over 100%.