KINGSTON, Jamaica — Prime Minister Andrew Holness says his government is looking to quickly utilise the greater fiscal space, which he said effective stewardship of the economy has presented, to ease pains and pressures facing Jamaicans.

Pointing out that no one can argue about the fundamental substance of the achievements of his administration, Prime Minister Holness is urging Jamaicans to truly look at the improvements in the country as the changes many are expecting to see will not happen overnight.

Sharing that while the changes may take some time, Holness said his administration is aware of the importance of making moves to ease the burden on the people.

The Prime Minister was speaking at the handing over of the Child Protection and Family Services Agency’s (CPFSA), Therapeutic Centre at the Maxfield Park Children’s Home on Thursday.

According to Holness, unlike several other countries, Jamaica’s economic progress is remarkable – having undergone overlapping global crises of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine war, which continues, and the impact of global inflation. The PM went on to share that Jamaica is now seen on the international stage as an example of responsible management and governance.

In addressing the country’s handle on inflation, the Prime Minister underscored that Jamaica, like all countries around the world, experienced a rapid increase in prices after the global crises. He shared that despite the odds, his administration has come out of global crises in a resilient position, recording economic growth higher than pre-pandemic levels.

Reiterating his administration’s commitment to responsible management of the debt, Holness noted that only 28 cents of the dollar is being used to service debts compared to 48 cents shortly before the JLP came to office in 2016.