We need to know state of economy

Edward Chin-Mook, Former president, Small Business Association of Jamaica

I must say that this is the first time that I have actually sat and reviewed the dilemma which confronts our current leaders.

The people of Jamaica need to know what exactly is the state of our economy and what is required from us all. I am calling on the prime minister to dissect the 31.21 per cent going for public-debt charges.

Additionally, the interest rates are still too high. The call by the Opposition to impose a cess on the high interest payment on Government of Jamaica bonds is a good one, but my only suggestion is to pool these funds into a small, and medium-size enterprise development fund for onlending to the sector at a one per cent interest with the only condition that you must be registered and compliant and be up to date with your tax payments.

I think that is something that can actually start to stimulate some growth in the economy.

I am surprised

Dr Michael Witter, Senior lecturer in economics, the University of the West Indies

I am surprised. I expected them to cut expenditure. Expenditure has actually gone up with this increase in interest payments. I don't understand where it came from. I guess we will hear more about it next week. I anticipated they would be cutting the capital expenditure. All of this points to, of course, an increase in revenue. With the recent poor performance of revenue, it is difficult to see what they are thinking, whether they are going to make an increase in the attempt to collect revenue on the streets or whether there will be new revenue measures, or both. Or whether there are agreements with multilaterals that are pending the agreement with the International Monetary Fund that will kick in some support for the Budget.