Dr. Nigel Clarke Responds To Opposition Leader Mark Golding.
March 22, 2021 | Hopeton O’Connor-Dennie |
The head of Jamaica Money Market Brokers (JMMB) Keith Duncan and chairman of EPOC which is Economic Programme Oversight Committee (EPOC). has thrown a cold market on the suggestion that the government “has embraced fiscal conservatism”. The OPEC head said inter alia:
“Rating agencies would view us differently as we would have to borrow to meet interest obligations. We are borrowing to pay principal payments on our national debt.”
The Opposition Spokesman MP Julian Robinson has called on the JLP led government to free up $21.5 Billion dollars which would mean that the debt to GDP ratio be reduced by one percent from 6. I am 6 percent. This would mean the debt would be paid down at a slower rate but provide more funds to assist the poor.
Dr Nigel Clarke, Finance Minister said inter alia:
The basket compiled by the government funded consumer agency is authentic. Clarke also said Robinson’s claim that prices have risen to almost if not doubled since 2016 is “Nonsense”.
The debate continues. you be the judge as to whom you trust.
Hopeton O’Connor-Dennie is a veteran journalist with international exposure.
