|
Economy Heading in Right Direction- Roberston (JIS)
Monday, June 21, 2004
Minister of Development, Dr. Paul Robertson has said that economy
was heading in the right direction, noting that government was entering
this economic period with great confidence as the economy continued
to stabilize and the fiscal deficit brought under control.
He was speaking at the just concluded Jamaican Diaspora Conference,
which was held at the Jamaica Conference Centre in Kingston. He
told the overseas delegates that a programme had been implemented,
which would lead to zero deficit in 2005/06. He further pointed
out that inflation, which had been for a number of years in double
digits was "back under control".
Meanwhile, Dr. Robertson noted, the Net International Reserves
(NIR) was still at record levels and the economy had experienced
the sixth year of positive growth. "We are definitely headed
in the right direction," he stated.
Explaining the functions of his Ministry, Dr. Robertson pointed
out that it was responsible for the proper implementation for the
modernization of the administration; legislative and administrative
reform; investment and export promotion; as well as oversight of
the Office of Utilities Regulation, and the bauxite and alumina
industries.
The major instruments of the Ministry he informed were; the Development
Council; the Investment Facilitation Board; and the Jamaica Promotions
Corporation (JAMPRO).
Dr. Robertson pointed to investments such as luxury villas, townhouses,
manor houses and major resort developments. He also made note of
millennium projects including the Maroon Heritage Park; the Vernam
field cargo aerodrome; Milk River Pool Museum and Spa Hotel.
The Development Minister noted that with the ongoing construction
of Highway 2000, a large portion of the island was being opened
up for the first time and that developments were being planned for
that corridor in relation to agriculture, water, housing and industrial
activities.
The two-day conference, which was held under the theme - 'Jamaicans
in the Diaspora: Unleashing the Potential', is the first of its
kind linking Jamaicans abroad with leaders in government, business,
academia, industry, administration and non-governmental organizations,
to hear concerns and effect changes for Jamaicans both at home and
abroad.
|
