Opposition says lowering of primary surplus target questionable
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Opposition spokesman on finance, Audley Shaw, has questioned the timing of the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) lowering of the primary surplus target under the economic reform programme.
Shaw said while he welcomes the move, “The timing of this concession by the IMF curiously coincides with the eve of national elections here in Jamaica”.
He said while the Opposition welcomes a lowering of the primary surplus target, the relaxation, considering the time at which it has come, is exposed to being interpreted as political interference on the part of the IMF.
He said the decision “could free up the Government to embark on an election spending spree”.
He called on Finance Minister Dr Peter Phillips to be “absolutely transparent in explaining how this money will be spent”.
