BASSETERRE – A two-member delegation from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Wednesday held talks with Prime Minister Dr Timothy Harris, according to an official statement issued here.
It said that the twin island Federation’s potential for economic growth was discussed with the new Division Chief of the Caribbean in the IMF Western Hemisphere Department, Sònia Muñoz and Deputy Division Chief of the Caribbean, Dr Arnold McIntyre.
McIntyre also serves as the new IMF mission chief for St Kitts and Nevis, replacing Inci Otker.
Prime Minister Harris said the government has enjoyed a very beneficial relationship with the Washington-based financial institution over the last three years in office.
“We expect that we will have even better cooperation between ourselves and the IMF through your leadership,” Harris said, adding “McIntyre is no stranger; he has worn several hats within the region but certainly he has visited St Kitts on numerous occasions in a multiplicity of capacities and rendered good support on policy advice.
“We think we have a combination in you as the chief of the mission for sub-region, and Dr. McIntyre, who is a good friend of St Kitts and Nevis, to help us advance,” Harris said, even as he acknowledged that there remain significant challenges on which his government hopes to engage the IMF.
“Most important is how do we as a government advance the welfare and the quality of life for the people of St Kitts and Nevis [and] how do we attain a level of growth that is sufficient to spread improved conditions through all sectors and most important to the people, particularly the poor.
“And while we advance in terms of our growth, we want to ensure that it is an inclusive growth so that all or the widest cross section of persons, citizens and residents is benefitting from the growth that the country realises,” Harris said, noting that the government is committed to ensuring discipline in the fiscal management of the country.
“We understand that we have to excite the industry, the creativity and ingenuity of our people and we are committed to doing those things to ensure that the country moves consistently forward and upward, and by so doing bring a prosperity agenda which we promised our people to even greater realisation.”
Muñoz said she would work with the government “on ensuring economic and financial stability in the region with you”. (CMC)