Prime Minister And Finance Minister To Address The Nation, February 11, 2013

Prime Minister the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller and Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr. the Hon. Peter Phillips, recording their speech, which will be presented in a joint national broadcast tomorrow (Monday, February 11). The recording was done on Sunday, February 10, in the television studio of the Jamaica Information Service (JIS).

The Prime Minister and Dr. Phillips will update the nation on the status of the IMF negotiations.  They will also outline Jamaica’s economic programme and the reform measures.

This follows the visit of the IMF staff mission to Jamaica on Tuesday, February 5, for further talks towards concluding a new agreement with the Government.

The IMF team, which departs on February 15, is being led by the Fund’s mission chief for Jamaica, JanKees Martijn.

The Government is finalising a submission for approval of a four-year extended fund facility following the completion of prior actions to be agreed on.

The National Broadcast was originally scheduled for Sunday February 10.  The change to Monday became necessary as a result of challenges to coordinate the broadcast times with media houses.

The broadcast will be carried by the media at 9:00 p.m. and by CVM at 11:00 p.m.