Move to give economy push

Government will host a national consultation on the economy next month.
Prime Minister Freundel Stuart has urged the various stakeholders, including the private sector and the trade union movement, to be prepared for the June 28 dialogue so as to ensure it succeeds.
Last month, the Central Bank announced that the economy had contracted by 0.4 per cent in the first three months of 2013 and urged the authorities to put “back on track” the fiscal consolidation strategy as well as craft a new medium term adjustment strategy to turn around the island’s fortunes.
In its review of the Barbados economic performance for the first quarter of this year, the Bank said that on current trends there might be no real increase in the contribution to gross domestic product (GDP) from the key sectors of tourism or international business in 2013.  (CMC)