Cabinet Begins Two-Day Retreat Today

Cabinet will be locked in a two-day retreat at Jamaica House beginning Thursday Feb. 2, where members will discuss, among other things, the economic programme, the Jamaica Emergency Employment Programme (JEEP) and details of the Jamaica Employ Programme.

Minister with responsibility for Information, Hon. Sandrea Falconer, told journalists on Feb. 1 Jamaica House briefing, said the discussions on the economic programme will include the preparation of the fiscal programme for the remainder of the financial year, as well as for the medium term, 2012 to 13 and 2015 to 2016.

These, she said, will form the basis for continued discussions with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). “The medium-term fiscal programme that has been formulated within the context of the fiscal responsibility framework will be reviewed against the background of the current status of the country’s public finances,” she informed.

Ms. Falconer noted that the Cabinet talks will inform the policies that will be required to attain a sustainable medium-term profile on which the new budget will be constructed and presented in April 2012. Priority programmes and projects for the period, will also be determined, and announced following the retreat.

She informed that the supplementary budget for 2011 to 2012 will be announced within a few weeks.

Meanwhile, Ms. Falconer told reporters that JEEP is expected to be rolled out later this month, and that the details of incentives that could be offered to employers under the Jamaica Employ Programme, were being examined by Minister of Finance, Planning and the Public Service, Hon. Dr. Peter Phillips and his team.

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, earlier this month said the government would reward private sector entities that employ at least one qualified Jamaican into the productive enterprise.

By Alphea Saunders, JIS Senior Reporter