Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States, Her Excellency Audrey Marks, has asked for continued support from the United States, in assisting the Jamaican Government to continue to  build on the successes gained from its new macro economic policy.

In her meeting with U.S. Congressman for Florida’s 19th District, Ted Deutch, the Ambassador provided an overview of that new policy, using the background of government’s efforts to underscore Jamaica’s need for ongoing development support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), which would require support from Congress. The meeting was held on Tuesday, January 25 at Congressman Deutch’s Capitol Hill offices.

Ambassador Marks highlighted the government’s Downtown Kingston re-vitalization thrust, saying it needs an intensive socio-economic programme to sustain the gains of last year’s intensive security operations there.

She also spoke of the government’s efforts that have been cited by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank as “a model for other countries with high debt.”  She explained positive results of the Jamaica Debt Exchange (JDX) and a new IMF programme, the benefits of which include a dramatic fall in interest rates to figures currently as low as 7.8 per cent, setting the stage for more entrepreneurial investments, and job creation.

Congressman Deutch expressed his interest in exploring ways to facilitate collaboration in economic development and border and immigration issues with Jamaica.  He gave this indication after Ambassador Marks updated him on the excellent level of co-operation between both countries in the area of narcotics control, among other areas.

Mr. Deutch also offered the assistance of his office on any matter pertaining to Ambassador Mark’s planned trip to Florida, which is home to a significant number of Jamaicans.

Deputy Chief of Mission at the Jamaican Embassy in Washington DC, Ms. Cheryl Gordon, accompanied the Ambassador on her visit with the Florida Congressman.