More Speeches

Head of the IMF mission to Jamaica, Jan Kees Martijn, issued the following statement on Tuesday, February 12 in Kingston: “Over the last three decades, the Jamaican economy has experienced very low economic growth, declining productivity, and reduced international competitiveness. An important factor behind these problems has been Jamaica’s unsustainable debt burden, which has undermined confidence and elevated risks to...

My fellow Jamaicans, good evening. As we approach the final stages of our negotiations with the International Monetary Fund, this evening I wish to bring you up to date on the implications for all of us. It was thirty-six years ago that Jamaica signed its first loan agreement with the IMF. Since then, we have negotiated other IMF agreements. On...

Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller in responding to recent statements by Opposition Leader, Andrew Holness in relation to the International Monetary Fund deal at a Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica Chairman's Club Forum, said the country’s leaders are to be mindful of public statements which may have international repercussions. “Anything we say in Jamaica is captured globally. What kind of...

Prime Minister, the Most. Hon. Portia Simpson Miller says that an International Monetary Fund (IMF) agreement, by itself, will not solve all of the country’s problems. “The Government must pursue a set of medium term reforms for growth, that will help to stabilize the macro-economic situation and reduce anxiety,” she emphasized. Mrs. Simpson Miller was addressing a parish meeting, held...

Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller has expressed sadness and outrage at the violent death of a 14 year old student of Haile Selassie High School in St. Andrew. She was speaking at a Social Development Commission parish forum at St. Hilda’s High in Browns Town, St. Ann on Wednesday, January 30. The Prime Minister who was obviously shaken said she...

Mr. Speaker, after more than a year of closure, the scrap metal trade is now officially open. This reopening has been long in coming, but we had to ensure that due diligence was applied, so that at the end of the day we have a system guided by an appropriate regulatory framework. This meant months of careful examination of the...

Prime Minister Portia Simpson says the country has not adequately voiced the issue of parental responsibilities and sufficiently tackled parenting concerns. Speaking at the launch of Phase 11 of the European Union-funded Rise Life Community Upliftment & Human Rights Awareness Project and the Rise Parenting College in Majesty Gardens, St Andrew on Wednesday (January 23), the Prime Minister said the...

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, says the Cabinet is united in its commitment to do whatever is necessary and prudent to arrive at an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that is in the best interest of Jamaica. She was addressing a special post Cabinet media briefing at Jamaica House, on January 14, following a three-day...

The following is a statement issued by Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller at a Post Special Meeting of the Cabinet Media Briefing on Monday, January 14, 2013. On Saturday night last, we concluded three days of intense deliberations at the special meeting of the Cabinet. Mindful of our responsibility as a Cabinet facing one of the most challenging periods in...

Cabinet began a special three day meeting at Jamaica House today. The Prime Minister outlined the Administration’s focus on growth, development and job creation. She emphasized that in order to achieve this over the medium term it is vital that we reduce the burden of the national debt. The Prime Minister said it was necessary to secure an agreement with...

Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller on Wednesday (January 9) challenged the country’s community colleges to change their role to better serve the nation. Speaking at the 17th staging of the Council of Community Colleges of Jamaica (CCJ) Conference 2013 in St. Ann, the Prime Minister said community colleges must reinvent themselves to remain relevant to students, local industry and the...

The Government provided some 385 houses for sugar workers in various sections of the island in 2012. This was disclosed by Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, during a national broadcast on Sunday (January 6) in which she highlighted the achievements of her administration’s first year in office. The houses were constructed in Westmoreland; St. Thomas; Trelawny; and...