Finance Minister Shaw off to World Bank

Minister of Finance, Hon. Audley Shaw, left the island this afternoon for Washington DC, where he will be holding another round of talks with officials of the World Bank. Minister Shaw will continue discussions he initiated during a visit in October.
While in Washington, he will sign a US$10 million loan agreement to assist with Hurricane Dean relief projects.
An approved list of 120 projects will be undertaken by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund. These include repairs to 80 schools, 30 health centers and a number of roads.
Minister Shaw said the assistance was well needed as many schools have reopened despite physical damage from the hurricane.
“We have many schools that are still languishing without roofs and other areas of their structure. I am pleased that the World Bank has acted so speedily in approving the loan. This is the first loan agreement under the new administration and it reflects the favourable light in which the World Bank views what we are doing. We are building a new relationship.”
Work on the approved projects is to begin immediately.
Minister Shaw is accompanied by Ms. Scarlett Gillings, head of the Jamaica Social Investment Fund.