KINGSTON, Jamaica — State Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister Senator Abka Fitz-Henley says the Government is bullish about prospects for Jamaica in 2026 despite the economic shock caused by Hurricane Melissa late last year.

Some pundits have estimated that Melissa has accounted for over 30 per cent of the island’s GDP.

But Fitz-Henley says, though the likely impact is noted and significant, there are valid reasons to be positive about the prospects for Jamaica in 2026.

“It is well known that the country took a hit arising from Hurricane Melissa. But there is reason to be optimistic. We have a resilient economy. The dollar has been relatively stable for the past few years and has maintained that stability over the past few weeks. The National International Reserves are healthy, at over US$6 billion, and during the July to September quarter, the economy grew by 5.1 per cent as the Statistical Institute of Jamaica recently confirmed. That’s significant growth,” Fitz-Henley noted.

The state minister says despite the lingering challenges brought by Hurricane Melissa, the recovery effort is on in earnest and the Government is “both optimistic and bullish about the prospects for Jamaica in 2026”.

Fitz-Henley says work has been taking place to ensure a smooth transition from relief efforts to assisting with residential housing recovery for Jamaicans who lost their roof due to the Category 5 system.

He says in some regard, the focus of the administration entering 2026 is constant.

“Constant in the sense that work has been taking place, including over the Christmas and New Year period, to ensure that Jamaicans who lost their roofs due to Melissa are put in a position to restore themselves to a position of appropriate shelter. The administration had announced that funds raised via the official portal will be used to assist those whose roofs were significantly damaged, and work is taking place to ensure this takes place as efficiently as possible,” he said.

Fitz-Henley also says systems have been put in place to ensure that the integrity of the recovery effort is preserved and accountability is allowed to prevail.