URU, Alm.del - 2024-25 - Bilag 238: Rejserapport fra feltbesøg i Jamaica med verdensbanken og IMF den 2.

Udenrigsudvalget 2024-25
URU Alm.del Bilag 238
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The Parliamentary Network on the World Bank and IMF (PN), the World Bank Group (WBG) and the

International Monetary Fund (IMF) jointly organized a Parliamentary Field Visit in Jamaica, from 3

to 6 February 2025, as part of the Parliamentarians in Field Programme. The delegation composed

of 15 parliamentarians from 13 different countries and headed by the Honourable Marlene M. Forte

MP, Minister of Legal and Constitutional Affairs and Vice-Chair of the PN, had the opportunity to

visit World Bank funded projects and be briefed on IMF programmes in the country. Furthermore,

participants met with high ranking government and central bank officials, as well as with World

Bank and IMF local and regional experts to be informed about the country’s priorities, challenges

and achievements.

Parliamentary Field Visit Delegation at the Prime Minister's Office

On the morning of 3 February 2025, the delegation was welcomed by Dr The Most Honourable

Andrew Holness, ON, PC, MP Prime Minister of Jamaica. During the meeting, Prime Minister

Holness provided participants with an overview of the development and financial situation of the

country. He made an emphasis on the efforts that Jamaica has made so far in on bringing debt per

GDP ratio from 150 percent to under 70 percent of GDP. While giving credit to the Economic

Programme Oversight Committee (EPOC) for this achievement, he highlighted the importance of

multistakeholder partnerships in achieving macroeconomic policy goals, and stressed the need

for a sustained and strong social contract. He also spoke about the challenges and progresses of

the island concerning climate change, gender equality, crime and violence, social safety nets, and

digitalization.

URU, Alm.del - 2024-25 - Bilag 238: Rejserapport fra feltbesøg i Jamaica med verdensbanken og IMF den 2. - 6. februar 2025

During the discussion with World Bank and

IMF high level experts, Ms. Gail Richardson,

Operations Manager, WBG presented the

structure of the World Bank and its main

development projects in Jamaica. The

portfolio includes the Social Protection for

Increased Resilience and Opportunity, the

Kingston Waterfront Improvement, the Rural

Economic Development Initiative, and the

Jamaica Education Project. Mr. Sekou A.

Mark, International Finance Corporation

(IFC) explained the operations of IFC in

Meeting at the World Bank Office

Jamaica to increase the role of the private sector and foster productivity through private-public

partnerships (PPPs). Among them, he highlighted several areas of concern, such as green energy,

human capital, banking, and regulatory frameworks. Mr. Matthew Byrne, Director, IMF Caribbean

Regional Technical Assistance Center (CARTAC) addressed participants on the missions

conducted by CARTAC in the Caribbean region. He explained the importance of capacity in building

confidence and stability as catalysts for good macroeconomic policies. He also shared his take on

the IMF’s Resilience and Sustainability Fund (RSF) which provides Jamaica with an emergency line

of credit in case of climate change induced distress.

On the afternoon, the delegation visited the

Coffee Traders Ltd Agronomic Support and the

Superfine Chocolate Company Ltd part of the

Second Rural Economic Development Initiative.

Participants were able to witness the production

process of Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee, as

well as the tangible benefits of this economic

activity on the agricultural sector and livelihoods

of the farmers. Afterwards, delegates were

headed to the Bob Marley Museum for a cultural

visit on country’s most renowned musician,

Visit to Coffee Traders Ltd

before attending a reception with the Donor

community during which they discussed on funding priorities and donorship commitments.

URU, Alm.del - 2024-25 - Bilag 238: Rejserapport fra feltbesøg i Jamaica med verdensbanken og IMF den 2. - 6. februar 2025

On Tuesday, 4 February, participants attended

a breakfast with Civil Society Representatives

from the Poverty Alleviation & Empowerment

Foundation, the Association for the

Resettlement of Returning Residents

President, Jamaicans for Justice, International

Women's Forum, Eve for Life, Jamaica

Environment Trust, Slash Roots, National

Integrity Action, and the Agency for Inner city

Renewal. The multiple exchanges informed

legislators on local priorities related to several

Parliamentary Breakfast with CSOs

issues concerning gender equality, LGBTQI+,

climate change, education, sexual and reproductive rights, among others.

Following breakfast, the delegation met with Hon. Matthew Samuda MP, Minister without Portfolio,

Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation. The Minister spoke about job creation, climate

change, digital transformation, and infrastructure. He stressed the need to act on environmental

challenges the island is currently facing, such as soil degradation, pollution, hurricanes, and

droughts. Healthy public finance combined with proper adaptation projects, such as energy

transition and green transportation, are important priorities, he said. The discussion was followed

by a meeting with the Hon. Fayval Williams MP, Minister of Finance and the Public Service. Minister

Williams spoke about the role of the Ministry in ensuring the financial stability of the economy and

spending monitoring. While she told the history of Jamaica’s process in bringing down debt levels,

without necessarily rising taxes, she acknowledged the role of good financial administration in

building inclusive projects that benefit the people.

Meeting with Hon Matthew Samuda

Meeting with Hon. Fayval Williams

URU, Alm.del - 2024-25 - Bilag 238: Rejserapport fra feltbesøg i Jamaica med verdensbanken og IMF den 2. - 6. februar 2025

The meetings were followed by a lunch in the

House of Representatives, were legislators could

sit in during a session in Parliament conducted by

Deputy Speaker, Hon. Heroy Clarke MP. After a

brief cultural visit of Jamaican street art murals in

Water Lane, Kingston, the delegation headed

towards the Bank of Jamaica for a meeting with Mr.

Richard Byles, Governor. After introducing the

Deputy Governors, Mr. Byles presented on the

Meeting at the Bank of Jamaica

transition from Jamaica’s high debt situation to

sustained growth. He highlighted the importance of inflation targeting, eliminating discretionary

taxes, and channelling consensus; through EPOC, in the case of Jamaica. He then underscored the

usefulness of both employing targeted frameworks and monetary indicators, as well as creating

awareness of the role of the central bank within the population.

On Wednesday, 5 February, the delegation met

at Sagicor Resource Centre to be briefed on

their Small and Medium Enterprises’

programme financed by the IFC. Through

capacity building and access to finance,

Sagicor provides a platform for startups and

small businesses to grow. Following a breakfast

with small entrepreneurs and Sagicor

representatives, legislators departed to

Discovery Bay to visit the Fisheries Sector

Project. At the Bay, delegates were driven on

boats to witness the Irish Sea Moss Farms, while

Visit to the Irish Moss Farms

they interacted with local farmers. The project

had become an important source of income for the community and part of their climate resilience

strategy. At the harbour, parliamentarians were lead to visit a scientific facility that welcomes

students and researchers on marine fauna.

Visit of Montego Bay Airport

Visit of Montego Bay Fire Station

After lunch, delegates visited Donald Sangster International Airport at Montego Bay. The airport is

currently undergoing expansion projects financed by IFC. Legislators were briefed by the Chief

URU, Alm.del - 2024-25 - Bilag 238: Rejserapport fra feltbesøg i Jamaica med verdensbanken og IMF den 2. - 6. februar 2025

Executive Officer on the importance of this initiative for tourism, job creation, and economic

development. Legislators were then transferred to the Montego Bay Fire Station for a visit of the

premises and to be briefed by officials, notably the head of station, His Worship Councillor Richard

Vetnon, Mayor of Montego Bay, and Hon. Heroy Clarke MP. On the way back from the station,

delegates also visited and engaged in conversation with local community leaders in the St James

West Central constituency and visited Granvile and the Mt Salem Zone of Special Operations

(ZOSO).