KINGSTON, Jamaica, Gleaner-  The fiscal conditionalities of the new International Monetary Fund (IMF) agreement are strenuous, but necessary, IMF mission head Jan Kees Martijn and Finance minister Dr Peter Phillips argued Tuesday, amid scepticism that Jamaica can hold to its targets this time.
The IMF team also introduced the new IMF Resident Representative for Jamaica, Bert Van Selm who will replace Dr Gene Leon.
"We fully agree that meeting the target of a primary surplus is challenging, but it is critical," said Martijn in response to a query at a press briefing held at the Ministry of Finance in Kingston on Tuesday.