Jamaica: Focus is on the economy

The People’s National Party spokesman on finance, Dr. Peter Phillips says the new government’s first priority is to put the economy in a position to achieve greater levels of growth. He said the new administrations will concentrate on creating jobs and rebuilding trust between the government and people. Dr. Phillips said the People’s National Party (PNP) will also seek to reassure financial markets that the PNP will be a fiscally responsible administration. He said the first task in the New Year is to seek discussions with the International Monetary Fund. On the issue of naming a Cabinet, Dr. Phillips said he believes the Prime Minister designate, Portia Simpson Miller, will consider giving positions to the youth in the party. Dr. Phillips, who is the PNP’s campaign director, is crediting the party’s ability to effectively communicate to Jamaicans its policies and programmes for the landslide win in the 2011 General Elections. According to Phillips, Jamaicans have also been longing for a government they can trust.