FINANCE MINISTER Chris Sinckler launched the 2015 Estimates debate in the House of Assembly this morning laying out what he described as clear cut, undisputed evidence that the Barbados economy was on the rebound.
With tourist arrivals from all the major source markets up with the exception of CARICOM, energy prices down, inflation at 1.9 per cent, the deficit cut to 6.7 per cent and Government expecting a surplus of $56 million, the Finance Minister said even the most strident critics of the Government had to accept that the 19-month fiscal adjustment programme was working.
Sinckler, who was a much smaller version of himself having lost more than 60 pounds since the last Estimates debate, said even though there was still more to be done, he called on Barbadians  to stay the course that would put the country on a sound financial footing for even more economic growth.
In his two-and- a-half hour presentation, the minister said the bulk of more than 40 000 tax payers who were due refunds could expect to get their money by June and the rest before the end of September. The VAT return process would take a little longer because it was more involved. (GE)
