The Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) is reporting

estimated fourth quarter calendar year growth of 0.1 per cent, between October

and December 2019, relative to the corresponding period in 2018.

This, consequent on estimated growth of 1.8 per cent in the services industry, despite a 3.8 per cent contraction in the goods-producing industry, according to PIOJ Director General Dr Wayne Henry.

He was speaking during the PIOJ’s quarterly media briefing

at the agency’s head office in New Kingston on Tuesday (Feby 25).

Henry said the December quarter figure, which also

represents the third quarter out-turn for the 2019/20 fiscal year, will,

subject to Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN) ratification, mark a

record 20th consecutive period of economic growth for the country.

He advised that the economy is estimated to have grown by

0.9 per cent during 2019, consequent on the December quarter out-turn, and represents

the seventh consecutive year of growth for Jamaica.

Henry said the December 2019 quarter growth out-turn

reflected the combined impact of increased external demand from Jamaica’s main

trading partners, which supported growth in exports of some goods and services.

There was also expansion in hotel room and air-seat capacity,

which spurred growth in stopover arrivals; more favourable weather conditions,

which facilitated increased output per acre for some domestic crops as well as

water production; and increased use of financial services, facilitated by lower

interest rates and a relatively stable macroeconomic environment.