A STRONGER JAMAICA:
Consolidating our Recovery, Reigniting our Decade of Growth
Honourable Members,
We give God thanks for His grace and blessing on our nation over the past three years. We have:
• Weathered the COVID-19 pandemic
• Experienced the worst global health crisis in our lifetime, and,
• Seen the difficulties caused by supply chain challenges.
These events have been compounded by:
• The war in the Ukraine, and,
• Global inflation.
In spite of these overlapping crises, Jamaica stands strong.
• Our economic output has recovered to pre-COVID levels.
• Our unemployment rate is below pre-COVID levels and is now at the lowest level ever recorded.
• Our debt levels are below pre-COVID levels.
There are few countries in the world that can claim these three achievements simultaneously. This remarkable economic recovery has been achieved by steadfastly pursuing a path of fiscal prudence and sound monetary management.
During the pandemic, the Government pursued a policy of saving lives, while also preserving livelihoods. We kept our focus on ensuring that when the pandemic ended, Jamaica would be well-positioned to rebound strongly.
The robust economic recovery that we are experiencing is one which we have collectively earned and of which every Jamaican can be proud. It is the result of Jamaicans from all sectors of the society coming together – healthcare workers, members of the security forces, frontline workers, teachers, businessmen, unions and workers in the public and private sectors.