Devon Evans, Gleaner Writer
HALL
OCHO RIOS:
PRO-VICE CHANCELLOR of the University of the West Indies Professor Kenneth Hall is confident that Jamaica is on a positive growth path and remains a good place for investment.
He said that despite the notion that nothing has been achieved, Jamaica has had six consecutive years of positive growth with economic and other indicators all pointing to progress in the future.
Professor Hall pointed out that standard assessment done by recognised international agencies such as UN bodies, the World Bank and investment groups have all given Jamaica a very high rating which argurs well for the country's investment prospect.
STABLE
He continued, "And what they are essentially saying with regards to our economy is that despite some of the disruptions caused, for example, by 'Ivan' last year, the macro-economic environment was one which was stable, and more importantly that the outlook for the future was positive".
Professor Hall was guest speaker at the 50th anniversary awards banquet at the St. Ann Chamber of Commerce held at the Sandals Grande Ocho Rios Resort on Saturday night.
He noted that the people who are now giving Jamaica this positive ratings were the same ones who in the past had given the country poor marks.
"They have also concluded that we have managed our economy and managed our fiscal affairs in such a way that there is very high budgetary surpluses resulting in a reduction in the ratio between our GDP and our debt," Professor Hall stated.
