Vision 2030 in Keeping with IMF Strategies of Jamaica

The critical objectives set out in Vision 2030 Jamaica for macro-economic stability are in keeping with strategies that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will consider in its programme for Jamaica.

This is the word from Programme Director for the Plan Development Unit at the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), Mrs. Leila Palmer.

She said that the strict framework of the IMF conditionalities speak to fiscal discipline and supports Jamaica achieving, for example, macro-economic stability. “So it is not interfering with the vision. It is enhancing and enabling the vision,” she stated.

Mrs. Palmer was addressing the question of how Vision 2030 Jamaica is informing the Government’s discussions with the IMF, at a meeting of public sector communication/public education specialists at the PIOJ’s Oxford Road headquarters in Kingston today (January 13).

Director General of the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), Dr. Pauline Knight (left), and Programme Director for the Plan Development Unit, Leila Palmer, peruse documents before the start of a meeting of public sector communication and public education specialists at the PIOJ’s Oxford Road headquarters in Kingston this morning (Jan. 13).

Citing some of the elements of Vision 2030 Jamaica, she stated that these include balancing the fiscal deficit and reducing debt in a sustainable manner. “These are going to be critical elements I believe, of the IMF programme…we must get our debt down, it’s unsustainable. We must stop being in deficit. We have to live within our means and how Government does it (is) to increase its revenue, but also increase its spending. So these are some of the things (that will be addressed),” she elaborated.

Vision 2030 Jamaica is the country’s first long-term national development plan, which aims to put Jamaica in a position to achieve developed country status by 2030.

This morning’s meeting was held to: create awareness of Vision 2030 Jamaica among communications practitioners in/for Ministries, departments and agencies of Government; discuss their roles and responsibilities in informing their internal and external public about the plan, including sector plans and the medium-term economic framework.

The forum also discussed how such persons can galvanise broad-based understanding and support among citizens for the plan; and establish/suggest effective strategies and mechanisms for collaboration.