PM Optimistic about the Future

(ZIZ News) — Prime Minister, the Hon. Dr. Timothy Harris says his government remains optimistic about the direction in which the Federation’s economy is heading.

Speaking at his monthly press conference last week, Prime Minister Harris, who is also the Minister of Finance, said he will deliver the 2016 National Budget in December, at which time he will put to the country the Government’s strategies for taking the country forward.

“What is important is that so far, the IMF has been very impressed with the performance of the economy under the watchful eye of the Team Unity Government. And they are projecting that in 2015, we will still have the most significant performance in the Caribbean at a five percent level of growth,” he said.

He continued “So I say, to God be the glory and we take it one day at a time but I am confident we have the necessary measures in place that will take us to the next level.”

Dr. Harris said the five percent projected growth will be driven largely in part by the performance of the tourism sector.

“We then still have a very optimistic project, so for example, we are expecting strong growth in tourism or else Mr. Grant would not be travelling to Miami and all around the world that he has gone in support of the growth and increase in the stay-over and the cruise ships. So there is value to the external travel once it brings reward in the name of the people,” he said.

“We are still expecting that next year, we will have a new flagship in Park Hyatt and that will mean new avenue of economic activity, people coming in; expenditure; new jobs etc. And we could go on and on. So we are optimistic about the future,” he added.