KINGSTON, Jamaica, Gleaner - Despite the loss in value of the Jamaican currency relative to the United States dollar, two academics and a businessman have suggested that it provides opportunities to spur economic growth.
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KINGSTON, Jamaica, Gleaner - Monday's International Monetary Fund (IMF) statement on Jamaica reads_ "Fund management will submit to its Executive Board a 48-month arrangement under the Extended Fund Facility in the amount of SDR 615 million (about US$958 million, or 225 per cent of quota), with the recommendation that it be approved. It is expected that the board meeting would take place by the end of April."
KINGSTON, Jamaica, Observer - THE anticipated approval of the IMF deal by their executive board, announced on Monday, will give Jamaica some welcome breathing space but it is absolutely no panacea to our deep-rooted economic problems. In this context, the call of the three private sector leaders of the JCC, JMA and PSOJ that it "cannot be business as usual" is absolutely correct, even understated.
KINGSTON, Jamaica, Observer - The International Monetary Fund (IMF) will dispatch US$213 million to Jamaica immediately after its board approves the new bailout programme expected by month end, according to central bank Governor Brian Wynter.
Those funds, along with future distributions, will immediately shore up the country's depleted reserves.
The gross reserves fell to US$1.7 billion at the end of March, while the net reserves, the NIR, slumped to US$884 million, below the benchmark equivalent of 12 weeks of goods and services imports.
KINGSTON, Jamaica, Observer - CARIBBEAN Airlines' decision to cut back on the number of flights to Jamaica is being seen by the Jamaican Airline Pilots' Association (JALPA) as a first step towards pulling out of Jamaica.
For several weeks it was rumoured that Caribbean Airlines (CAL) had planned to reduce flights to Jamaica, and on Tuesday, during a sitting of Parliament's Standing Finance Committee, Transport Minister Dr Omar Davies said that no information was forthcoming from CAL.
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Advocate -
It is crucial that this Government takes the opportunity during this increasingly difficult economic period to reassess its strategy for earning revenue. As such, this administration should be commended on its continued multifaceted approach to grow the economy through the development of the manufacturing, agriculture and especially the tourism industry – the latter being the main revenue earner for the country.
BRDIGETOWN, Barbados, Advocate - To be competitive Barbadians need to embrace ICTs, as theycan significantly drive development in Barbados.
This was the suggestion made by Donville Inniss, Minister of Industry, International Business Commerce and Small Business Development yesterday at the Digicel Corporate Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Conference at the Hilton.
It is urgent that the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) engage the global community for help in sending a clear message to Guatemala that there will be no reward for bad behaviour, including, as seems to be the intent of the Central American country, squirming out of solemn undertakings.
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC- Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar is to pay an official visit to Canada later this month, according to a statement issued by the Office of the Prime Minister.
It said the April 23-26 visit is in response to an invitation from the Prime Minister Stephen Harper and follows the State visit of Canada’s Governor General David Johnston and his wife to Trinidad and Tobago during the 50thanniversary of independence 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC - Identical twin sisters, Louise Pierre and Louisa Danzel, from the fishing village of Blanchisseuse celebrated their 100th birthday on Wednesday. The twins also celebrated the birthday of their neighbour Richard Morgan, who will turn 101 on May 25.
All three were honoured by Member of Parliament for Arima, Rodger Samuel, and Minister of State in the Ministry of the People and Social Development and Department of Ageing, Vernella Toppin, in a ceremony which was attended by various Ministry officials, friends and family of the centenarians.