Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller and US President Barack Obama this morning held bilateral discussions on Jamaica’s economic programme with the International Monetary Fund, IMF.
Mr. Obama expressed support for Jamaica’s efforts in dealing with its public debt, investments in youth and efforts at strengthening governance. He said issues of energy and climate change were also discussed and will take centre stage when he meets with Caricom leaders this afternoon.
Mr Obama also outlined other areas of focus for the remainder of his visit.
“We spent time talking about trade and how we can expand in the region and internationally and we spent a lot of time talking about young people because one of the best ways to ensure growth and prosperity is by empowering more of our citizens. Today’s town hall meeting with young people from the region we will be discussing how we can support entrepreneurship, more student exchanges, more effective job training and at the same time how we can support human rights, equality and the dignity of our people,” the President said.
He said the relationship between Jamaica and the US is more than a friendship between states and due to the long history there is a family like bond Mr Obama said he intends to return with his wife Michelle and the family sometime in the future.
And speaking after the discussions at Jamaica House, Mrs. Simpson-Miller said the Extended Fund Facility was central to the discussion, as well as the outlook for the future.
She said she gave the government’s renewed commitment to the programme.
